MINUTES      ^^WLsfV^ 


Annual  and  General-  Conferences 


OF    THE    CHURCH    OF    THE 


UNITED   BRETHREN   IN  CHRIST 


1800-1818 


TRAirSLATED     AND     EDITED     BY 

A.  W.  DRURY,  D.D. 


DA-\-TON,  OHIO 

PUBLISHED  FOR  THE  UNITED  BRETHREN  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY 

BT  THE   tTNITED   BKETHREV   PUBLISHING   HOUSE 

1897 


COrYRIGHT,    189*. 

By  thk  Historical  Socikty  of  thk  ITnitbd  Brkthben  in  Christ, 
Dayton.  Ohio. 


PREFACE. 


The  United  Brethren  Church  may  congratulate  itself  on  the 
preservation,  notwithstanding  the  absence  till  recently  of  direct 
plan  and  effort  in  that  direction,  of  the  minutes  almost  entire  of  all 
of  the  early  conferences.  The  first  and  only  notice  that  we  have 
of  the  conferences  of  1789  and  1791  is  what  was  inserted  in  the  his- 
torical sketch  in  the  Disciplme  published  in  1819.  The  only  gap 
in  the  conference  minutes  prior  to  1837  is  the  absence  of  the  minutes 
of  the  first  four  sessions  of  Scioto  Conference  (from  1825  to  1828). 
It  seems  proper  to  speak  of  the  conference  regularly  organized  in 
the  year  1800  as  the  "Original  Conference"  for  the  period  down  to 
1810,  when  the  Miami  Conference  was  formed,  and  then  for  the 
period  following  to  designate  it  the  "Eastern  Conference,"  which 
designation  continues  best  to  describe  it  till  the  division  of  the 
conference  in  1830. 

The  minutes  of  the  conference  first  formed,  though  meager,  are 
preserved  unbroken  down  to  and  including  the  minutes  of  1830. 
They  are  in  German,  and  are  recorded  in  a  substantial  record-book. 
The  same  book  also  contains  in  English  the  minutes  of  Virginia 
Conference  from  1831  to  1837  inclusive. 

The  first  Miami  Conference  record-book  contains  the  minutes  in 
the  German  language  from  1810  to  1831  inclusive.  On  pages  facing 
the  German  text,  for  a  number  of  the  sessions,  there  is  a  more  or 
less  full  account  in  English  of  the  transactions  of  the  conference. 
For  the  sessions  of  1826  and  1827,  while  the  English  record  is  com- 
plete, the  German  record  is  almost  wholly  wanting. 

The  first  Muskingum  Conference  record  extends  over  the  years 
from  1818  to  1845  inclusive.  The  minutes  are  in  German,  with  the 
exception  of  those  for  the  years  1838,  1839,  and  1842  to  1845.  Mus- 
kingum Conference  had  special  importance  in  that,  while  losing  its 
territory  in  Pennsylvania  after  1833,  it  became  the  conference 
through  which  the  Church  was  planted  in  all  eastern  and  northern 
Ohio,  and,  through  the  Sandusky  Conference,  in  large  measure,  in 
Michigan  also. 

The  minutes  of  the  first  two  General  Conference  sessions  are 
recorded  in  German  in  the  record-book  of  the  Eastern  Conference. 


IV  PREFACE 

The  minutes  for  the  sessions  of  1821,  1825,  1829,  and  1833,  in  German 
manuscript,  are  preserved  among  the  arctiives  of  the  Historical 
Society.  The  minutes  for  the  session  of  1821  are  also  recorded  in  the 
record-booli  of  Miami  Conference.  The  minutes  for  the  sessions 
of  1837,  1841,  and  1845  seem  not  to  have  been  preserved  otherwise 
than  us  published  at  the  time  in  the  Beligious  Telescope.  About 
1850  Joshua  Montgomery,  the  secretary  of  the  General  Conference 
for  the  session  of  1849  and  for  other  sessions,  made  a  (somplete  record 
in  English,  from  whatever  sources  available,  of  the  proceedings  of 
all  previous  General  Conferences,  except  the  first  two,  transcribing 
also  into  the  record  as  a  preliminary  basis  the  essential  parts  of  the 
first  English  Discipline,  that  published  in  1819. 

The  correspondence  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  is  valu- 
able as  showing  the  fraternal  spirit  existing,  but  more  especially  in 
showing  the  progress  in  organization  and  in  the  establishment  of 
discipline.  In  1809  tlie  prejudice  existing  against  firmer  organization 
was  such  that  Newcomer  "had  nearly  determined  to  leave  and  with- 
draw from  the  Society." 

The  purpose  of  the  present  publication  is  to  make  the  early  min- 
utes of  annual  and  General  conferences,  which  are  of  interest  and 
value  to  the  entire  Church,  accessible,  and  to  insure  their  preserva- 
tion. It  would  have  been  desirable  to  include  all  minutes  down  to 
1833,  but  after  1818  the  minutes  of  the  different  conferences  become 
much  more  extended,  and  the  minutes  of  new  conferences  would 
demand  a  place,  thus  requiring  an  outlay  of  time  and  money  beyond 
what  are  at  present  available.  Besides,  the  work  can  now  be  taken 
up  under  distinct  auspices  and  successfully  carried  forward. 

The  labor  in  deciphering  and  translating  the  minutes  given,  of 
thirty  sessions  in  all,  has  been  by  no  means  small.  Translations 
of  a  large  part  of  the  minutes  had  already  been  made,  but  it  seemed 
necessary  to  make  a  new  translation  throughout,  with  a  view  to 
meeting  the  fullest  requirements  of  accuracy  and  intelligibility. 
While  little  comment  is  made  on  the  minutes,  there  has  been  a 
constant  aim  to  contribute  as  nmch  as  possible  to  making  the  min- 
utes a  ready,  full,  and  reliable  basis  for  the  study  of  the  early  history 
of  the  United  Brethren  Church.  It  njay  be  stated  that  while  these 
minutes  were  used  in  the  preparation  of  the  "Life  of  Otterbein," 
some  of  the  quotations  occurring  in  that  volume  were  from  the  less 
literal  translations  already  existing. 

The  translation  here  given  was  intended  to  be  literal,  reflecting 
the  character  and  spirit  of  the  actors  and  of  the  times,  with  little 
i-egurd  for  rhetorical  or  grammatical  propriety  beyond  the  elements 
fiuind  in  the  minutes  themselves.  It  is  well  known  that  while 
Otterbein  was  a  thorough  scholar,  and  Geeting  and  Pfrimmer  had 


PREFACE 


a  fair  education,  the  large  number  of  the  early  ministers  had  little  of 
the  advantages  of  the  schools ;  but  they  were  men  of  good  natural 
powers,  of  deep  religious  experience,  and  well  adapted  to  their  times 
and  the  work  to  be  done. 

Two  years  ago  the  United  Brethren  Historical  Society  provided 
for  the  publishing  of  a  volume  of  the  minutes  of  early  conference 
sessions,  and  in  harmony  with  the  provisions  then  made  the  present 
publication,  reduced  in  extent,  however,  is  sent  forth.  It  is  hoped 
that  there  will  be  special  timeliness  in  its  appearing  now,  in  view 
of  the  proposed  centennial  commemoration  of  the  meeting  of  the 
first  regular  annual  conference  in  the  year  1800. 

A.  W.  Drury. 

Dayton,  Ohio,  August  4,  18tf7. 


CONTENTS. 


Preface, --iii 

Minutes  of  the  Original  Conference,  1800-1810,         -       -  9 

Minutes  of  the  Eastern  Conference,  1811-1818,  -       -       -  25 

Fraternal  Correspondence  with  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church, 45 

Minutes  of  the  First  and  Second  General  Conferences,  -  65 

Minutes  of  the  Miami  Conference,  1810-1818,       -       -       -  69 

Minutes  of  the  Muskingum  Conference,  1818,      -       -       -  89 


vii 


PROTOCOL 

OF  THE 

UNITED  BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST. 


"Sanctify  them  through  thy  truth  ;  thy  word  is  truth." 
Do  it,  Lord  Jesus,  for  the  sake  of  thy  suffering  and  death. 
Amen. 

This  book  was  obtained  the  13th  [of  May,]  1812.' 

Here  now  follows  what  the  United  Brotherhood  in  Christ 
Jesus  from  the  year  1800  —  the  United  till  1800 — have 
done  in  their  annual  conference,  how  the  preachers  and 
church  members  should  conduct  themselves. 

September  25,  1800,  the  following  preachers  assembled 
at  the  house  of  Frederick  Kemp  in  Frederick  County, 
Maryland:^  William  Otterbein,  Martin  Boehm,  John 
Hershey,  Abraham  Troxel,  Christian  Krum,  Henry  Krum, 
George  Pfrimmer,  Henry  Boehm,  Christian  Newcomer, 
Dietrich  Auraud,  Jacob  Geisinger,  George  Adam  Geeting, 
Adam  Lehman.^ 

Each  person  spoke  first  of  his  own  experience,  and  then 

'The  foregoing  was  recorded  in  the  record  by  George  Adam  Geeting,  who 
eeems  to  liave  kept  the  minutes  from  1800  to  1812  inclusive.  He  attended  the 
conference  in  1812,  but  died  six  weeks  later.  In  this  short  Interval,  in  which  he 
is  said  to  have  been  in  fair  health,  he  recorded  the  minutes,  which  had  been 
preserved  in  a  less  suitable  form,  and  appended  a  statement  of  the  standing,  as 
to  ordination,  of  the  various  preachers.  —  Editor. 

"The  place  was  undoubtedly  Peter  Kemp's.  See  Life  o/  Otterbein,  p.  273.— 
Editor. 

'  And  probably  also  Jacob  Baulus.— Editor. 

9 


10  PROTOCOL    OF    THE    UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST 

declared  anew  his  intention  with  all  zeal,  through  the 
help  of  God,  to  preach  untrammeled  by  sect  to  the  honor 
of  God  and  [the  good]  of  men. 

1.  Resolved  that  two  preachers  shall  go  to  Smoke's 
and  investigate  whether  D.  Aurand  should  baptize  and 
administer  the  Lord's  supper. 

2.  Resolved  that  yearly  a  day  shall  be  appointed  when 
the  unsectarian  [_unpartheiische'\  preachers  shall  assemble 
and  counsel  how  they  may  conduct  their  office  more  and 
more  according  to  the  will  of  God,  and  according  to  the 
mind  of  God,  that  the  church  of  God  may  be  built  up, 
and  sinners  converted,  so  that  God  in  Christ  may  be 
honored. 

3.  The  meeting  was  opened  with  prayer,  then  a  chap- 
ter read,  a  short  discourse  delivered  by  Brother  Otterbein, 
and  then  again  closed  with  prayer. 

September  23, 1801,  we  again  assembled  at  Peter  Kemp's 
in  order  to  counsel  together  and  instruct  one  another  how 
we  might  be  pleasing  to  God  and  useful  to  our  fellow- 
men. 

The  following  preachers  were  present :  William  Otter- 
bein, Martin  Boehm,  Christian  Newcomer,  Daniel  Strickler, 
George  Adam  Geeting,  Peter  Seuseny,  John  Neidig,  David 
Long,  Abraham  Mayer,  Frederick  Schaffer,  Jacob  Geisinger, 
John  Hershey,  Thomas  Winter,  Ludwig  Duckwald,  David 
Snyder,  Peter  Kemp,  Matthias  Kessler,  Christian  Krum, 
Abraham  Hershey,  Michael  Thomas. 

1.  After  prayer,  Otterbein  gave  a  discourse.  He  said 
that  salvation  depends  on  Christ  alone  and  his  mercy, 
and  that  whoever  here  becomes  free  from  sin  and  a  party 
spirit  has  God  to  thank.  Thus  he  declared  his  mind,  and 
then  each  of  the  preachers  spoke  of  his  experience,  and  then 
was  the  following  resolved. 


THE    OKIGINAL    CONFERENCE  11 

2.  A  letter  was  read  from  Rev.  Pfrimmer,  and  it  was 
resolved  to  make  no  answer,  because  that  seemed  right  to 
every  one. 

3.  A  letter  was  received  from  Aurand  at  Smoke's,  and 
resolved  to  grant  his  desire  and  to  notify  him  through 
Christian  Newcomer. 

4.  To-day's  session  closed  with  song  and  a  hearty  prayer 
that  God  would  bless  us  and  make  us  true  and  faithful 
laborers  in  his  vineyard.  Oh,  that  the  Lord  would  send 
upon  us  all  his  Holy  Spirit,  that  we  might  proclaim  with 
power  the  word  of  God.     Amen. 

1.  The  24th  of  September,  1801,  we  again  assembled 
in  God's  name  in  Peter  Kemp's  house  ;  and  first  a  chapter 
of  the  Revelation  of  John  was  read,  namely,  the  fourteenth 
chapter.  Then  followed  singing  and  hearty  prayer  that 
each  one  might  be  willing  to  preach  the  gospel  and  that 
he  also  be  careful,  and  that  he  also  so  walk  as  he  preaches 
to  others. 

2.  The  preachers  were  examined  as  to  whether  they 
are  willing  according  to  their  ability  to  labor  in  the 
work  of  the  Lord,  through  the  grace  of  the  Lord. 

3.  It  was  asked  who  are  willing  to  take  charge  of  a 
circuit  and  preach  at  the  appointed  places.  Then  the 
following  preachers  offered  themselves :  Christian  New- 
comer, David  Snyder,  Michael  Thomas,  Abraham  Hershe}', 
Daniel  Strickler,  Abraham  Mayer,  Frederick  Schaffer,  David 
Long,  John  Neidig,  Peter  Kemp. 

4.  Resolved  that  each  preacher,  after  the  sermon,  shall 
hold  conversation  with  those  who  would  be  converted,  be 
they  who  they  may,  if  they  are  determined  from  the 
heart  to  give  themselves  to  God. 

5.  Resolved  that  the  preachers  shall  be  brief  and  avoid 
unnecessary  words  in  preaching  and  in  prayer ;  but  if  the 
Spirit  of  God  impels,  it   is   their   duty   to  follow  as  God 


12  PROTOCOL    OF    THE    UNITE1>    BKETHKEN    IN    CHRIST 

directs.     O  God,  give  us  wisdom  and  understanding  to  do 
all  things  according  to  thy  will.     Amen. 

1.  At  nine  o'clock  we  again  came  together.  We  began 
the  session  again  with  singing  and  hearty  prayer  that  God 
would  bless  us  with  wisdom  and  understanding  and  with 
liearty  love  to  God  and  one  another.     Amen. 

2.  Resolved  that  our  preachers'  meeting  [conference] 
next  year  shall  be  October  5,  1803,  at  David  Snyder's, 
and  whoever  of  the  preachers  cannot  come  shall  write  to 
the  conference. 

3.  Resolved  that  the  last  Sunday  in  August  a  great  meet- 
ing shall  be  held  at  Sleepy  Creek. ^ 

4.  Our  present  meeting  was  now  closed  ;  and  indeed 
with  a  hearty  prayer,  which  may  the  Lord  out  of  grace 
grant  for  Jesus'  sake.     Amen. 

Martin  Boehm. 
William  Otterbein. 
George  Adam  Geeting. 


1.  October  5,  1S03,-  we  assembled  at  David  Snyder's, 
in  Cumberland  County,  Pennsylvania.  The  preachers 
present  were  the  following :  William  Otterbein,  j\Iartin 
Boehm,  Christian  Newcomer,  David  Snyder,  John  Hershey, 
Peter  Kem^D,  Abraham  Mayer,  Christopher  Grosh,  Christian 
Krum,  Valentine  Flugle,  John  Winter,  Frederick  SchafFer, 
George  Adam  Geeting,  George  Benedum. 

We  began  the  session  with  the  reading  of  the  second 
chapter  of  First  Timothy,  and  then  with  singing  some  verses 
of  a  hymn,  and  with  prayer.  Thou,  dear  Saviour,  bless 
our  coming  together  to  the  honor  of  thy  name  and  to 
the  edification  of  us  all.  O  Lord,  answer  us  for  Jesus'  sake. 
Amen. 

'  Sections  1,  2,  and  3  belong  to  the  minutes  of  1802,  for  October  8.  —  EniTOR. 
'The  minutes  of  1802  and  1803  now  follow  In  reverse  order.  — Emrou. 


THE    ORIGINAL    CONFERENCE  13 

2.  Each  one  of  the  preachers  spoke  as  to  his  condition, 
how  it  stood  with  him  ;  and  of  his  renewed  determination 
in  upright  love  with  all,  with  earnest  determination  in 
uprightness  toward  one  another,  and  bound  together  in 
love,  to  walk  in  the  ways  of  God  ;  to  preach  the  gospel 
through  the  power  of  Jesus.     Amen. 

3.  Resolved  that  Daniel  Strickler  and  Christian  Krum 
shall  call  the  preachers  in  Virginia  together  and  with  one 
another  determine  how  they  should  preach  and  rightly 
arrange  their  plan.  The  Lord  give  them  wisdom  and 
power  from  above. 

4.  October  0,  at  two  o'clock,  our  session  again  began 
with  the  reading  of  a  chapter  and  with  prayer.  In  the 
forenoon  there  was  preaching  by  Otterbein  and  Boehm. 

5.  The  work  in  Maryland  M^as  considered.  It  was  left 
to  the  preachers  in  Maryland  themselves  to  arrange. 

6.  Resolved  that  Martin  Boehm  and  Grosh  place  the 
preachers  in  order  in  Pennsylvania  as  may  tend  most  to 
the  honor  of  God  and  the  benefit  of  the  hearers  and  the 
bettering  of  the  church  of  God. 

7.  Resolved  that  David  Snyder  and  Abraham  Mayer 
and  Benedum  shall  make  their  own  arrangement,  how 
they  shall  serve  their  preaching  places,  as  may  be  best  for 
the  kingdom  of  God.     May  the  Lord  help  them.     Amen. 

8.  It  is  ordered  that  Christian  Newcomer  and  Henry 
Krum  go  to  Christian  Berger's^  and  preach  the  gospel  in 
his  part  of  the  country  wherever  they  can  find  an  entrance 
to  the  praise  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

9.  Resolved  that  the  preachers  named  shall  give  to 
Christian  Berger  authority  to  baptize,  but  nothing  more 
at  this  time. 

10.  October  7  we  began  our  session  again  with  the 
reading  of  the  Fourteenth  Psalm,  and  very  hearty  prayer. 

'  In  western  Pennsylvania.  —  Editok. 


14         PROTOCOL    OF   THE    UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST 

11.  Concerning  Brother  Flugle  it  was  resolved  that 
Brother  Hershey  visit  his  place  to  administer  the  Lord's 
supper. 

12.  There  being  a  complaint  against  D.  Aurand,  re- 
solved that  Brother  Snyder  and  Brother  Neidig  should 
go  thither  and  make  an  investigation. 

13.  Resolved  that  our  next  conference  again  be  held 
at  David  Snyder's,  if  the  Lord  will,  the  first  Wednesday 
in  October,  1804,  and  a  great  meeting  Saturday  and  Sun- 
day following.     The  Lord  grant  it  his  blessing. 

At  length  it  was  resolved  that  concerning  the  recording 
of  the  people's  names  every  one  has  the  freedom  to  do 
according  to  his  understanding,  and  that  they  love  one 
another  as  brethren.  Further,  it  was  resolved  that  the- 
preacher  after  the  sermon  should  converse  with  awakened 
souls  as  in  the  circumstances  it  might  seem  j^roper. 

\Vm.  Otterbein. 
Martin  Boehm, 
George  Adam  Geeting. 

Here  must  be  inserted  the  minutes  of  the  Conference 
of  1802.  These  were  on  a  sheet  by  themselves.  I  have 
just  now  found  them.     I  record  them  here  now  as  follows  : 

At  Cronise's,  in  Frederick  County,  [Maryland,]  we,  the 
following  preachers,  came  together  to  hold  counsel :  Wil- 
liam Otterbein,  Martin  Boehm,  Christian  Newcomer,  John 
Hershey,  Christopher  Grosh,  Abraham  Troxel,  Henry 
Krum,  Michael  Thomas,  Dietrich  Aurand,  David  Snyder, 
Peter  Kemp,  Matthias  Kesslcr,  George  Adam  Geeting. 

We  began  our  meeting  with  singing,  then  with  right 
hearty  prayer  to  God  that  the  kingdom  of  God  might 
come  and  the  will  of  God  be  done  on  earth  as  in 
heaven.  May  God  will  to  send  us  preachers  the  grace 
of  love  to  love  God  and  all  men. 


THE    ORIGINAL   CONFERENCE  15 

2.  Each  of  the  preachers  spoke  of  his  condition,  how 
it  is  with  him  in  his  preaching  and  how  his  purpose  is 
further  to  do  in  his  office,  to  call  heartily  upon  God  for 
his  help,  and  that  ever  he  might  through  humility  give 
to  another  higher  esteem  than  to  himself.  May  God  give 
to  us  preachers  grace  that  we  may  become  very  humble 
to  the  honor  of  God  and  the  good  of  men. 

3.  Resolved  that  Valentine  Flugle  have  a  certificate  from 
us  that  he  is  allowed  to  exhort  and  persuade  the  people  that 
they  be  converted.     The  Lord  give  him  his  blessing. 

4.  Resolved  that  we  write  to  Pfrimmer  that  for  the 
present  we  will  have  nothing  to  do  with  him. 

5.  At  the  close  of  the  session  Ludwig  Duckwald  and 
William  Ambrose  from  Sleepy  Creek,  Virginia,  arrived. 

6.  October  7  the  sermon  began,  which  was  preached  by 
Otterbein  and  Boehm,  on  Hebrews  13  :  17,  with  great  bless- 
ing. To  God  be  all  the  glory  for  this.  May  the  sermon 
never  be  forgotten  by  us  preachers  and  all  the  hearers. 

7.  The  first  thing  that  was  taken  up  was  that  John  Mil- 
ler with  our  approval  shall  exhort  the  people  to  incite  them 
to  good  works  as  much  as  he  can  through  God's  grace. 

8.  It  appeared  that  in  the  matter  of  the  recording  of 
names,  twelve  votes  were  in  favor  and  nine  against.^  It 
is  therefore  with  consent  laid  over  for  the  present, 

9.  The  preachers  shall  establish  prayer-meetings  where 
they  preach,  if  it  is  possible. 

10.  It  is  permitted  to  Ludwig  Duckwald  to  baptize  and 
to  administer  the  outer  signs  of  the  Lord's  supper  according 
to  God's  Word. 

11.  On  the  26th  of  September  there  was  a  sermon 
preached  by  our  Brother  Otterbein,  from  the  fourteenth 
verse  to  the  end  of  the  Epistle  of  Jude,  and  that  with 

'Of  twelve  votes  nine  were  against,  Is  doubtless  the  right  statement.— 
Editor. 


16  PROTOCOL    OF    THE    UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST 

great   blessiog.     In    the    aftemoou    our   consultation    was 
resumed.' 

12.  A  proposal  was  made  relating  to  the  collecting  of  a 
sum  of  money  for  poor  preachers.  Nothing,  however,  was 
done. 

13.  Resolved  that  if  a  preacher  does  anything  wrong  or 
scandalous,  the  nearest  preacher  shall  go  and  talk  with  him 
alone.  If  he  refuse  to  hear  or  heed,  said  preacher  shall 
take  with  him  one  or  two  more  preachers.  If  he  refuse  to 
hear  them,  he  shall  be  silent  till  the  next  conference. 

14.  Resolved  that  George  Adam  Geeting  in  the  spring 
and  fall  shall  visit  the  societies  on  Frederick  Circuit. 

15.  Resolved  that  Christian  Newcomer  visit  Cumber- 
land Circuit  twice  yearly. 

16.  Resolved  that  Martin  Boehm  twice  yearly  visit 
the  circuits  in  Pennsylvania  beyond  the  Susquehanna, 
to  ascertain  the  condition  of  things  in  their  societies. 

17.  Reselved  that  Jacob  Baulus  and  Valentine  Baulus 
shall  make  house-visits  in  Middletown  and  Fredericktown 
and  their  vicinity. 

18.  Further,  it  is  laid  down  as  a  rule  [vest  gesetzt'] 
that  when  one  of  our  superintendents  [or  elders,  eltestm'\ 
dies,  namely  Otterbein  or  Martin  Boehm,  who  now  are 
appointed  to  the  place  \_gesetzt  sind\  then  shall  another 
always  be  chosen  in  his  stead.  This  is  the  wish  of  both, 
and  all  of  the  preachers  present  unanimously  consent  and 
are  agreed  that  it  be  thus. 

Now  for  this  time  is  the  session  closed  in  God's  name. 

Martin  Boehm. 
William  Otterbein. 

'Section  \\  must  belong  to  the  minutes  of  1801,  tiie  correct  date  being  Sep- 
tember 25.  The  occasion  of  some  of  the  confusion  in  the  minutes  of  1801  and 
1802  is  found  m  the  temporary  loss  of  a  part  of  the  minutes,  but  more  In  the 
advanced  age  of  Mr.  Geeting,  and  the  Interval  of  twelve  years  from  the  time 
of  the  taking  of  the  first  minutes  to  the  time  when  the  minutes  were  recorded. 
—Editor. 


THE    ORIGINAL    CONFERENCE  17 

This  yet  here  to  mention :  Peter  Senseny,  Ludwig 
Duckwald,  John  Neidig,  are  authorized  to  baptize  and 
administer  the  Lord's  supper,  with  all  belonging  thereto. 

October  3,  1804,  the  conference  met  at  David  Snyder's. 
Few  preachers  came,  however,  on  account  of  the  prevailing 
sickness  and  mortality.  Present,  Christian  Newcomer,  Mar- 
tin Boehm,  Frederick  Schaffer,  David  Snyder,  Matthias 
Bortsfield. 

They  counseled  together  and  resolved,  the  Lord  willing, 
that  the  next  conference  be  held  near  Middletown,  Mary- 
land, on  Wednesday  before  Whitsunday,  1805. 

1.  May  29,  1805,  we,  the  following  preachers,  assembled 
at  the  house  of  Christian  Newcomer.^  Both  our  [superin- 
tendents] were  present — Otterbein  and  Boehm.  John 
Hershey,  George  Adam  Geeting,  Daniel  Strickler,  Fred- 
erick Schaffer,  Peter  Kemp,  Lorenz  Eberhart,  George 
Benedum,  David  Snyder,  Christian  Krum,  Frederick  Duck- 
wald, William  Ambrose,  Jacob  Baulus,  Jacob  Geisinger, 
Christian  Berger,  Abraham  Mayer,  Christian  Newcomer. 

2.  We  began  the  session  with  hearty  prayer.  Otterbein 
gave  a  short  address.  May  the  Lord  Jesus  grant  his 
blessing  to  the  same.     Amen. 

3.  The  assembled  preachers  resolved  through  the  grace 
of  Jesus  Christ  to  urge  forward  the  work  of  God  with 
more  earnestness  than  ever  before.  O  dear  Saviour,  help 
us,  poor  and  unworthy,  for  the  sake  of  thy  suffering  and 
death.     Amen. 

4.  According  to  the  confession  of  the  preachers  the  grace 
of  God  was  with  them  and  their  work.  May  the  Lord  bless 
tliem  in  their  office.  The  Lord  make  each  one  very  faith- 
ful. 

>The  conference,  according  to  appointment  and  the  statement  in  New- 
comer's Journal,  met  at  Jacob  Baulus's,  near  Middletown.— Editor. 
2 


18         PROTOCOL   OF   THE    UNITED   BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST 

5.  Pfrimmer  received  permission  to  preach  among  us. 

6.  The  following  preachers  arrived :  Ludwig  Duck- 
wald,  Daniel  Troyer,  Jacob  Dehof. 

7.  At  eight  o'clock,  May  30,  we  again  assembled.  A 
portion  from  God's  Word  was  read,  followed  by  prayer  to 
God  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  and  thus  the  session  began. 

8.  With  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  preachers  New- 
comer determined  to  preach  the  whole  year  in  Maryland 
and  a  part  of  Pennsylvania ;  and  Christian  Krum  in  Vir- 
ginia.    Resolved  that  each   receive  forty  pounds  yearly.^ 

9.  Resolved  that  George  Adam  Geeting  shall  be  present 
at  the  usual  great  meetings  in  Maryland  and  on  this  side  of 
the  Susquehanna  in  Pennsylvania. 

10.  It  was  decided  by  the  preachers'  meeting  that 
Geeting  should  not  take  up  his  residence  at  Hagerstown, 
but  that   Hagerstown  should  be  served  by  our  preachers. 

11.  The  preachers  who  preach  where  they  desire, 
according  to  their  inclination,  shall  have  no  compensa- 
tion. When,  however,  they  receive  money,  they  shall  bring 
the  same  to  the  conference,  to  be  given  to  the  regular 
preachers. 

12.  It  is  allowed  in  our  preachers'  meeting  that  Fred- 
erick Duckwald,  of  Sleepy  Creek,  and  Christian  Berger,  of 
Westmoreland,  baptize,  administer  the  Lord's  supper,  and 
solemnize  marriage. 

13.  The  conference  will  be  held  next  year  at  Lorenz 
Eberhart's,  the  Tuesday  before  Whitsunday,  1806,  and 
that  there  on  the  Saturday  following  a  great  meeting  shall 
begin.     May  the  Lord  be  with  us. 

14.  With  this  the  session  was  brought  to  a  close  after 
the  reading  of  a  chapter  and  an  exhortation  that  we  should 
live  to  the  honor  of  God.  William   Otterbein. 

Martin  Boehm. 

'  A  pound  in  State  currency  was  ffi2.67.— Editor. 


THE    ORIGINAL    CONFERENCE  19 

May  21,  1806,  we  held  our  conference  for  this  year  at 
Lorenz  Eberhart's.  The  following  preachers  were  present : 
John  Neidig,  Lorenz  Eberhart,  Joseph  Hoffman,  Peter 
Kemp,  Christian  Krum,  Michael  Thomas,  John  Hershey, 
Christian  Newcomer,  Jacob  Baulus,  Henry  Krum,  George 
Adam  Geeting.     0  God,  make  thy  servants  very  faithful. 

2.  Each  preacher  present  spoke  of  his  condition,  how 
he  stands  with  God,  how  it  goes  with  him  in  his  office, 
and  his  purpose  henceforth  to  be  faithful  through  our 
Jesus  Christ. 

3.  On  the  22d  of  May  we  came  together  again.  The 
question  arose  whether  the  preachers  stand  united  in 
love.  They  all  declared  that  they  stand  in  hearty  love, 
not  only  with  one  another,  but  also  toward  all  men,  who- 
ever they  may  be. 

4.  Resolved  that  Joseph  Hoffman  and  Christian  Krum 
shall  and  will  take  their  circuit  to  serve  the  societies  for 
a  year,  if  the  Lord  shall  grant  life  and  health. 

5.  Resolved  that  the  Pennsylvania  brethren  shall  be 
written  to. 

6.  Resolved  that  our  next  annual  conference  shall  be 
held  in  Pennsylvania,  beginning  the  Tuesday  before  Whit- 
sunday, a  great  meeting  following  on  Saturday  and  Sunday. 

7.  Great  meetings  shall  be  held  at  the  school-house  on 
the  Antietam  on  Whitsunday,  1807  ;  at  Lemaster's,  June 
15  ;  at  the  Spring  [Rocky  Springs],  June  22  ;  at  Baulus's, 
October  4  and  5  ;  at  Hohman's,  in  Virginia,  September 
24  and  25.     The  good  Jesus  bless  his  work.     Amen. 

George  Adam  Geeting. 
Christian  Newcomer. 

1.  We  held  our  conference  May  13,  1807,  at  Christian 
Herr's  in  Pennsylvania.  The  following  preachers  were 
present :      Martin    Boehm,-    Christian    Newcomer,    David 


20         PROTOCOL    OF    THE    UNITED    BRETHREN    IN   CHRIST 

Snyder,  Isaac  Niswander,  Abraham  Mayer,  Christian 
Krum,  John  Neidig,  Frederick  Schaffer,  Christian  Smith, 
Joseph  Hoffman,  George  Adam  Geeting,  David  Long, 
Christian  Hershey,  Abraham  Hershey. 

2.  The  session  was  opened  with  prayer ;  then  every 
one  spoke  of  his  condition ;  afterward  Brother  Martin 
Boehm  gave  a  short  exhortation.  The  fourth  chapter  of 
First  John  was  read.  Would  God  that  he  would  make 
of  us  all  useful  instruments. 

3.  Resolved  that  Abraham  [Niswander]  shall  visit 
the  societies  in  Virginia  August  7,  and  Smith  the  9th  of 
October ;  if  he  departs  before  this,  then  he  shall  be  pres- 
ent at  Krum's. 

4.  Huntington  Circuit  shall  be  served  by  David  Snyder, 
Abraham  Mayer,  and  John  Hershey  ;  beginning  June  2, 
Snyder ;  September  2,  Hershey ;  December  2,  Abraham 
Mayer. 

5.  May  14,  1807,  we  again  assembled  at  Christian 
Herr's.  First  singing,  then  prayer,  then  the  reading  of 
the  twelfth  chapter  of  Romans.  Then  Brother  Boehm 
spoke  in  brief.  Then  our  deliberation  was  renewed  in 
God's  name.  May  the  Lord  help  us  and  grant  wisdom 
and  love  and  faithfulness  toward  God  and  all  men. 

6.  Ordered  that  David  Snyder,  Abraham  Mayer,  Fred- 
erick Schaffer,  and  John  Neidig  shall  visit  four  times  this 
year  the  societies  in  Fautz'  Valley. 

7.  It  was  again  laid  down  as  a  rule  that  a  married 
preacher  shall  receive  per  year  forty  pounds,  and  a  single 
preacher  twenty-four  pounds,  if  he  travels  regularly. 

S.  Joseph  Hoffman  agreed  to  preach  this  year  on  the 
circuit  traveled  by  Newcomer  ;  namely,  four  months  on 
this  side  of  the  Susquehanna.  He  shall  begin  on  the 
other  side  of  the  Susquehanna  River. 

9.     We  again  came  together  and  prayed  God  fervently 


THE   ORIGINAL   CONFERENCE  21 

for   his  blessing  and   help   in   our   purpose   in  preaching 
and  counseling. 

10.  Resolved  that  our  conference  in  1808  shall  be  in 
Virginia,  at  Abraham  Niswander's,  Wednesday  before  the 
third  Sunday  in  May. 

11.  Resolved  that  for  the  present  we  will  have  nothing 
to  do  with  Dietrich  Aurand. 

12.  It  was  announced  that  Peter  Senseny  and  Jacob 
Geisinger  have  died. 

13.  Resolved  that  Abraham  Mayer  and  Isaac  Nis- 
wander  shall  have  full  authority  to  baptize,  administer 
the  Lord's  supper  where  it  is  necessary,  and  solemnize 
marriage.  Our  conference  has  so  ordered.  We  testify 
to  this.  Martin  Boehm, 

George  Adam  Geeting. 

Our  yearly  conference  began  at  Abraham  Niswander's, 
in  Virginia,  May  25,  1808,  in  the  afternoon.  We  read 
the  fifth  chapter  of  First  Peter.  There  was  a  short 
exhortation,  singing,  and  a  fervent  prayer. 

The  following  preachers  were  present :  Christian  New- 
comer, Joseph  Hoffman,  David  Snyder,  Isaac  Niswander, 
Peter  Kemp,  William  Ambrose,  Ludwig  Duckwald,  Chris- 
tian Krum,  Henry  Duckwald,  Abraham  Mayer,  Jacob 
Baulus,  John  Hershey,  George  Adam  Geeting. 

2.  Every  preacher  declared  how  he  stood  in  religion, 
how  it  was  with  him  in  his  preaching,  and  desired  that 
he  might  be  able  to  speak  according  to  the  will  of  God. 

3.  The  following  preachers  are  willing  to  travel  a 
circuit-  Abraham  Mayer,  Christian  Newcomer,  John 
Hershey,  David  Snyder,  Jacob  Baulus,  George  Adam 
Geeting,  George  Hoffman. 

4.  Closed  with  singing  and  hearty  prayer  that  the 
Lord  may  be  praised  for  his  goodness  and  faithfulness. 


22         PROTOCOL   OF   THE   UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST 

5.  May  26,  in  the  afternoon,  the  session  again  began 
with  the  reading  of  the  First  Psalm,  prayer,  and  a  song 
of  praise ;  and  the  business  of  the  yearly  conference  pro- 
ceeded. 

6.  Resolved  that  Joseph  Hoffman  shall  travel  a  year — 
in  Virginia  three  months,  beginning  in  August ;  the 
remainder  of  the  time  where  we  need  him, 

7.  May  27  we  again  began  our  session.  We  read 
from  the  fifth  chapter  of  Matthew,  and  sang,  and  prayed 
fervently  to  God. 

8.  Resolved  that  when  Hoffman's  three  months  in 
Virginia  are  expired,  he  shall  travel  three  months  the 
circuit  in  Maryland  and  a  part  of  Pennsylvania,  and  then, 
if  there  is  no  other  place,  he  shall  continue  to  preach  on 
this  circuit. 

9.  Resolved  that  the  difficulties  between  Brothers 
Stricklcr  and  Niswander  lie  over  till  the  conference  in  W. 
Baltimore  (?). 

10.  Brother  David  Snyder  was  appointed  to  preach 
to  the  congregation  at  Hagerstown  two  or  three  months. 

11.  We  began  our  session  in  the  afternoon  with  reading 
from  the  Word  of  God  and  fervent  prayer. 

12.  Resolved  that  when  any  one  desires  to  preach 
under  our  approval,  he  must  be  examined  at  a  great 
meeting,  and  have  a  good  testimonial.  Then  two  of  the 
elders  shall  have  the  right,  if  they  find  him  worthy,  to 
give  him  a  certificate  to  preach  one  year.  He  nmst  then 
appear  at  the  conference  and  be  examined.  Should  he 
not  there  appear,  his  certificate  can  be  renewed  at  a  great 
meeting. 

13.  May  28  w^e  again  began  our  session  with  reading 
from  the  Word  of  God,  and  singing,  and  prayer. 

14.  Resolved  that  the  conference  in  1809  shall  be  at 
Bernhardt  Spangler's,  in  Paradise   [Township],  in  Penn- 


THE    ORIGINAL    CONFERENCE  23 

sylvania,  the  day  before  Ascension  Day.      The  preachers 
shall  strive  to  be  there  on  Tuesday  [preceding]. 

15.  Strickler's  case  was  taken  up.  The  witnesses 
present  testified  that  Strickler's  conduct  was  not  right, 
and  because  the  witnesses  declared  there  was  nothing: 
against  Isaac  Niswander  and  Christian  Krum,  it  was 
resolved  that  Strickler  should  be  silent  in  our  United 
Brotherhood  till  the  next  conference.  If  he  there  appears 
and  confesses  his  fault,  he  shall  again  be  accepted  as  a 
member  of  the  brotherhood.  Or  if  before  the  conference 
meets  he  should  satisfy  Brother  Isaac  Niswander  and 
■Christian  Krum,  all   shall  be  right. 

16.  Our  conference  closed  for  this  year  with  fervent 
prayer.  To  the  good  God  be  hearty  thanks  for  our  love 
and  harmony  which  we  have  with  one  another.  To  the 
Lamb  that  was  slain  be  all  honor  and  worship. 

George  Adam  Geeting. 
Christian  Newcomer. 

1.  This  the  10th  of  May,  1809,  we  preachers  assembled 
at  Christian  Herr's  in  Lancaster  County.  The  following 
preachers  were  present :  Martin  Boehm,  Christian  New- 
comer, Abraham  Mayer,  Adam  Riegel,  Isaac  Niswander, 
Frederick  Schaffer,  Christian  Smith,  John  Hershey,  Matthias 
Bortsfield,  Joseph  Hoffman,  Abraham  Hershey,  George 
Benedum,  George  Adam  Geeting,  David  Long,  Christopher 
Grosh,  Christian  Hershey,  David  Snyder,  John  Snyder. 

2.  We  began  our  session  with  hearty  prayer  and  the 
reading  of  the  fifth  chapter  of  First  Peter.  The  Lord 
grant  us  his  blessing  for  Jesus'  sake.     Amen. 

3.  Each  preacher  present  spoke  in  brief  of  his  con- 
dition. It  was  encouraging.  The  Lord  unite  us  in  the 
bond  of  love,  which  is  the  bond  of  perfectness.  Lord 
Jesus,  send  it  to  us  for  Jesus'  sake. 


24  PROTOCOL   OF   THE    UNITED    BRETHREN   IN    CHRIST 

4.  To-day,  the  11th  of  May,  we  began  with  the  reading 
of  the  Seventy-eighth  Psalm,  then  the  singing  of  some 
verses,  and  then  hearty  prayer  that  the  Lord  help  us 
for  Christ's  sake.     Amen. 

5.  The  desire  of  the  Methodists  is  approved  thus  far — 
that  each  preacher  shall  have  a  license,  because  it  was 
thus  before  among  us ;  and  that  each  preacher  shall  be 
allowed,  if  one  of  our  members  wishes  to  go  to  the 
Lord's  supper  with  the  Methodists,  to  give  him  a  ticket 
of  good  standing ;  and  if  the  Methodists  would  come 
with  us,  they  also  shall  have  a  testimonial.  In  regard 
to  the  other  articles,  we  must  have  a  longer  time  to 
think.  The  Methodists  shall  have  freedom  to  preach  at 
all  of  our  preaching  places. 

1.  June  6,  1810,  our  preachers'  meeting  began  at  the 
house  of  John  Cronise  in  Frederick  County,  Maryland. 
The  following  preachers  assembled  :  George  Adam  Geet- 
ing.  Christian  Newcomer,  Christian  Krum,  Isaac  Niswander, 
Jacob  Baulus,  Peter  Kemp,  David  Long,  Christian  Hershey, 
Abraham  Mayer,  David  Snyder,  Joseph  Hoffman,  George 
Hoffman,  Christian  Smith,  Jacob  Dehof,  L.  Eberhart, 
Christian  Berger. 

2.  The  session  was  opened  with  singing,  prayer,  and 
the  reading  of  the  fifth  chapter  of  Ephesians.  May  the 
Lord  impart  further  his  blessing  unto  us.     Amen. 

3.  Every  preacher  spoke  in  a  childlike  way  of  his 
condition,  speaking'  uprightly  in  the  fear  of  God. 

4.  Further,  letters  were  read  from  the  following  per- 
sons :  William  Otterbein,  Christopher  Grosh,  William 
Ambrose,  Ludwig  and  Frederick  Duckwald,  and  Fred- 
erick Schaffer ;  and  a  letter  from  Baltimore  from  some 
brethren  concerning  a  union  of  the  Methodists  and  the 
United  Brethren. 


THE     EASTERN    CONFERENCE  25 

5.  It  was  resolved  that  Christian  Krum  and  Isaac 
Niswander  shall  have  charge  of  Virginia  Circuit  for  one 
year. 

6.  Resolved  that  Henry  Ow  have  permission  from  the 
conference  to  preach. 

7.  Resolved  that  George  Hoffman  shall  serve  the  cir- 
cuit in  Fautz'  Valley  one  year. 

8.  Resolved  that  Joseph  Hoffman  shall  serve  Lancaster 
Circuit  one  year. 

9.  This  the  7th  of  June  we  began  our  session  with 
reading  the  second  chapter  of  First  Corinthians,  singing, 
and  prayer.     0  God,  give  us  thy  blessing. 

10.  Resolved  that  George  Hoffman  shall  go  to  Virginia 
as  early  as  December  16  and  serve  at  that  place  three 
months. 

11.  Resolved  that  all  the  preaching  places  here  in 
Maryland  and  on  this  side  of  the  Susquehanna  in  Penn- 
sylvania shall  be  served  by  the  preachers  as  well  as  they 
can,  and  that  then  all  of  the  places  shall  be  visited  twice 
during  the  year  by  the  other  preachers. 

12.  Resolved  that  our  conference  next  year  shall  begin 
on  Wednesday  before  Ascension  Day,  at  ten  o'clock,  at 
Joseph   Gnege's,  in  Cumberland    [County],   Pennsylvania. 

13.  Resolved  to  send  an  answer  to  the  Methodists  at 
their  request. 

May  23,  1811,  we  began  our  preachers'  meeting  at  Joseph 
Gnege's,  in  Cumberland  County,  Pennsylvania.  The  fol- 
lowing preachers  were  present :  (1)  Christopher  Grosh,  (2) 
Christian  Smith,  (3)  George  Adam  Geeting,  (4)  Christian 
Newcomer,  (5)  Abraham  Troxel,  (6)  Christian  Krum,  (7) 
Jacob  Baulus,  (8)  David  Snj^der,  (9)  Matthias  Kessler, 
(10)  Joseph  Hoffman,  (11)  Isaac  Niswander,  (12)  Jacob 
Winter,  (13)  David  Long,  (14)   Christian   Hershey,  (15) 


26         PROTOCOL   OF   THE    UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST 

Frederick  SchafFer,  (16)  Joseph  Jordan,  (17)  Henry  Hie- 
stand,  (18)  Michael  Baer. 

This  session  was  opened  with  the  reading  of  the  second 
chapter  of  First  Corinthians,  singing,  and  hearty  prayer. 
The  Lord  grant  us  his  divine  blessing  for  Jesus'  sake. 
Amen. 

2.  Each  preacher  spoke  somewhat  regarding  his  con- 
dition, speaking  uprightly  in  the  fear  of  God.  At  this 
time  two  preachers  arrived — (19)  George  Hoffman  and 
(20)  Peter  Swartz. 

3.  Letters  written  to  the  conference  by  the  following 
persons  were  read :  One  from  Henry  Muhleisten  and 
others,  of  Augusta  County,  Virginia,  one  from  Abraham 
Hiestand,  of  Fairfield  County,  Ohio,  one  from  Jacob  Win- 
ter, of  Washington  [County],  Pennsylvania,  one  from 
George  Martin,  of  Hagerstown. 

4.  Resolved  that  Joseph  Hoffman  and  Henry  Hiestand 
be  appointed  to  travel  next  year  in  Pennsylvania  and 
Maryland. 

5.  To-day  we  began  again  as  usual  with  singing,  prayer, 
and  reading  of  the  twelfth  chapter  of  Isaiah.  May  the 
dear  God  bless  us.     Amen. 

6.  Resolved  that  Jacob  AVinter  be  given  permission  to 
preach,  and  Joseph  Jordan  and  Michael  Hershey  to  exhort. 
Lord,  give  them  thy  blessing. 

7.  Resolved  that  when  a  single  man  travels  regularly 
he  shall  have  eighty  dollars.  Resolved  that  Peter  Swartz 
have  permission  to  preach. 

8.  Our  next  yearly  conference  shall  be  at  George  Adam 
Geeting's,  in  Washington  County,  Maryland,  on  the  Tuesday 
before  Whitsunday. 

Our  session  ended  in  blessing  and  brotherly  harmony. 
God  be  heartily  thanked  therefor. 

George  Adam  Geeting. 


THE     EASTERN    CONFERENCE  27 

May  13,  1812,  we  came  together  in  our  meeting-house 
to  hold  conference.  Opened  with  singing  and  the  reading 
of  the  fifth  chapter  of  the  First  Epistle  of  Peter,  and  with 
prayer.  The  following  preachers  were  present :  Christian 
Newcomer,  Christian  Krum,  George  Adam  Geeting,  Abra- 
ham Troxel,  Abraham  Mayer,  Joseph  Hoffman,  Christian 
Smith,  Isaac  Niswander,  Da^vid  Snyder,  Valentine  Baulus, 
Jacob  Baulus,  Abraham  Hershey,  Lorenz  Eberhart,  Michael 
Thomas,  Jacob  Winter,  Christian  Berger,  Henry  Hiestand, 
Henry  Spayth,  George  Geeting,  Martin  Kreider,  John 
Kreider,  Dehof. 

1.  Each  one  spoke  concerning  his  spiritual  condition. 
The  Lord  left  not  himself  without  witness  among  us.  The 
session  was  closed  with  singing  and  prayer.  To  the  Lord 
be  thanks  forever.     Amen. 

2.  May  14,  1812,  we  again  came  together.  The  Thirty- 
fourth  Psalm  was  read,  then  singing  and  prayer.  The 
first  thing  done  was  the  fixing  of  the  30th  of  July  and 
the  29th  of  October  as  prayer  and  fast  days  throughout  the 
entire  United  Brotherhood. 

3.  A  certificate  of  permission  to  preach  was  granted 
to  John  Smith. 

4.  Resolved  that  Abraham  Mayer  shall  investigate  the 
case  of  Immanuel  Ow.  If  he  finds  things  right,  he  is 
authorized  to  give  him  again  permission  to  preach  or  to 
leave  him  where  he  is. 

5.  Resolved  that  only  one  yearly  conference  shall  be 
held  in  the  district  of  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  and  Vir- 
ginia. 

6.  Resolved  that  Brother  Neidig  and  Brother  Grosh 
shall  have  charge  over  the  Washington  [Pennsylvania] 
United  Brethren  societies ;  namely,  the  territory  north  of 
the  Susquehanna.  They  may  hold  small  conferences  when 
it  is  necessary.     When  they  have  difficulties  which  they 


28         PROTOCOL    OF    THE    UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST 

cannot  settle,  they  shall   be  brought   to   the   yearly  con- 
ference. 

6.  Resolved  that  the  circuit  [plan]  shall  be  maintained 
as  long  as  possible.  It  shall  be  served  every  four  weeks 
through  traveling  preachers,  who  shall  be  supported.  A 
single  preacher  shall  yearly  receive  eighty  dollars,  and  a 
married  preacher  one  hundred  and  sixty  dollars  and  also 
expenses.  They  shall  keep  an  exact  account  of  money 
received. 

7.  Resolved  that  Henry  Hiestand  and  Henry  Spayth 
shall  this  year  travel  and  preach  on  our  circuit  [in 
Maryland  and  Pennsylvania]. 

8.  Ordered  that  Brother  Christian  Newcomer  send  to 
the  brethren  in  the  State  of  Ohio  or  visit  them,  and 
give  counsel,  build  up,  and  exhort  as  he  finds  best.^ 

May  15  our  session  was  begun  with  singing  and  prayer 
and  the  reading  of  the  first  chapter  of  First  John. 

9.  Resolved  that  Abraham  Mayer  shall  go  to  Virginia 
and  assist  in  holding  two  great  meetings. 

10.  The  communication  from  the  Baltimore  Confer- 
ence [Methodist  Episcopal]  through  Brother  Swartzwelter 
and  Brother  Griffith  was  read  and  laid  before  the  con- 
ference. 

11.  Resolved  that  the  communication  be  accepted,  and 
it  was  unanimously  resolved  to  maintain  the  unity  exist- 
ing between  the  United  Brotherhood  and  the  English 
Methodists  according  to  the  Word  of  God.  May  the  Lord 
grant  his  blessing  thereon.     Amen. 

12.  Resolved  to  accept  the  communication  [or  propo- 
sition] of  the  Philadelphia  Conference  [Methodist  Episco- 
pal] and  to  send  Brother  Smith  and  David  Snyder  as 
messengers  to  the  next  Philadelphia  Conference. 

'This  item  has  a  stroke  across  it,  but  it  is  liliely  a  part  of  the  minutes 
proper.—  Editor. 


THE    EASTERN    CONFERENCE  29 

13.  Resolved  that  the  next  yearly  conference  shall  be 
held  at  Christian  Herr's,  in  Manor  Township,  Lancaster 
County,  the  first  Wednesday  of  May,  1813. 

14.  Resolved  that  Brother  Christian  Newcomer  be 
given  authority  to  hold  a  conference  with  the  preachers 
in  the  Ohio  district.  The  Lord  give  him  grace  therefor. 
Amen. 

15.  It  was  ordered  that  Abraham  Mayer  and  Jacob 
Baulus  shall  be  placed  as  elders  to  have  the  oversight 
of  the  district  between  the  Potomac  and  Susquehanna 
rivers. 

16.  Resolved  that  Brother  Spayth  shall  make  a  visit 
to  Virginia  in  the  month  of  November,  and  Brother  Eber- 
hart  shall  take  charge  of  his  circuit.  The  next  time 
Abraham  Mayer  and  Jacob  Baulus  [shall  make  the 
visit]. 

17.  September  18  a  camp-meeting  shall  be  held  if  a 
place  can  be  found  for  it. 

O  Lord,  thou  Almighty  God,  bless  thy  work.  Give  to 
all  thy  servants  who  preach  among  us  thy  Holy  Spirit. 
Fill  us  all  with  thy  pure  love,  and  with  power  and  with 
understanding  to  preach  thy  word,  and  lead  a  good,  upright 
life,  and  to  honor  thee,  0  God,  from  the  depths  of  our 
hearts.  Grant  it  us  out  of  thy  grace,  for  Jesus'  sake. 
Amen 

Preachers  who  died  this  year,  Peter  Kemp,  John 
Hershey,  Matthias  Kessler,  and  Martin  Boehm.  Kemp 
and  Hershey  died  in  1811,  Kessler  and  Boehm  in  1812. 

George  Adam  Geeting. 
Christian  Newcomer. 

The  following  preachers  are  authorized  to  perform  all 
of  the  services  of  God's  house : 

1.  William  Otterbein.  3.     George  Adam  Geeting. 

2.  Martin  Boehm.  4.     Christian  Newcomer. 


30         PROTOCOL   OF    THE    UNITED   BRETHREN   IN    CHRIST 


5. 

Christian  Krum. 

16. 

Isaac  Niswander. 

6. 

John  Hershey. 

17. 

Daniel  Troyer. 

7. 

Christopher  Grosh. 

18. 

George  Benedum. 

8. 

Abraham  Troxel. 

19. 

Peter  Kemp. 

9. 

Ludwig  Duckwald. 

20. 

Adam  Riegel. 

10. 

John  Neidig. 

21. 

Frederick  Schaffer. 

11. 

David  Long. 

22. 

Joseph  Hoffman. 

12. 

Abraham  Hershey. 

23. 

David  Gingerich. 

13. 

Christian  Hershey. 

24. 

Christian  Berger. 

14. 

Abraham  Mayer. 

25. 

David  Snyder. 

15.     William  Ambrose.  26.     Christian  Smith. 

Those  not  thus  authorized  : 

Jacob  Dehof.  Hermann  Ow. 

Jacob  Baulus.  Christian  Berger. 

George  Hoffman.^ 

Lancaster  County,  Pennsylvania,  Manor  Township,  May 
5,  1813.  We  came  together  at  Christian  Herr's  to  hold 
conference.  At  the  opening,  the  reading  of  the  third 
chapter  of  First  Corinthians,  the  singing  of  a  spiritual 
hymn,  and  prayer.  Christopher  Grosh  was  then  elected 
president.  The  following  preachers  were  present :  ( 1 ) 
Christopher  Grosh,  (2)  Christian  Newcomer,  (3)  John 
Neidig,  (4)  Abraham  Mayer,  (5)  Adam  Riegel,  (6)  Chris- 
tian Krum,  (7)  Frederick  Schaffer,  (8)  Jacob  Baulus,  (9) 
David  Snyder,  (10)  Christian  Hershey,  (11)  Valentine 
Baulus,  (12)  Abraham  Hershey,  (13)  George  Geeting, 
(14)  Michael  Baer,  (15)  Henry  Spayth,  (16)  Christian 
Smith,  (17)  Henry  Hiestand,  (18)  Joseph  Jordan. 

2.  Each  preacher  gave  a  short  declaration  of  his 
condition. 

3.  The    following    persons    were    by    the    conference 

'  Here  the  writing  of  Mr.  Geeting  stops.  Six  weelis  after  the  Conference  of 
1812  he  died.  —  Editor. 


THE     EASTERN    CONFERENCE  31 

examined  and  received  as  exhorters :  ( 1)  John  Brown, 
(2)  John  Geisinger,  (3)  Charles  Hassel,  (4)  George  Kolb. 

Adjourned  for  to-day  with  singing,  prayer,  and  the 
benediction. 

May  6  our  session  was  opened  with  singing  and 
prayer. 

4.  C.  Newcomer  was  elected  bishop  for  one  year. 

5.  A  fraternal  letter  from  the  Baltimore  Conference 
[Methodist  Episcopal],  through  R.  Birch  and  J.  McCann, 
was  read  before  the  conference,  and  received  with  great 
satisfaction. 

6.  A  similar  letter  through  Christian  Newcomer  and 
Valentine  Baulus  is  to  be  sent  to  the  next  Baltimore  Con- 
ference in  order  to  maintain  the  bond  of  union  between 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  and  the  Methodist  Church. 

May  7,  opened  with  reading  the  seventh  chapter  of  John, 
singing,  and  prayer. 

7.  Resolved  that  Henry  Hiestand  shall  have  a  certifi- 
cate of  permission  for  one  year. 

8.  Resolved  that  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  Evangel- 
ical Discipline  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  shall  be 
printed. 

9.  The  next  yearly  conference  shall  be  held  at  Hagers- 
town  on  Wednesday  before  Whitsunday. 

10.  The  circuit  in  Maryland  shall  be  served  every  four 
weeks  by  Henry  Spayth. 

11.  Christian  Newcomer,  Christian  Krum,  J.  Hoffman, 
and  Jacob  Baulus  were  appointed  to  form  a  plan  for  a 
union  between  the  United  Brethren  and  the  so-called 
Albright's  People  which  shall  be  laid  before  the  next  con- 
ference, that  if  possible  a  union  may  be  formed  with  them. 

Conference  adjourned  with  singing  and  prayer.  The 
blessing  of  the  Lord  was  with  us.  May  his  name  be 
praised  forever. 


82         PROTOCOL   OF   THE   UNITED    BRETHREN   IN    CHRIST 

Who  has  died  this  year? 

George  Adam  Geeting  died  June  28,  1813  [1812].  His 
age  was  seventy-one  years,  four  months,  and  twenty-two 
days.  He  spent  nearly  forty  years  in  the  office  of  an 
evangehcal  preacher,  which  he  filled  with  great  faithful- 
ness, and  in  all  trials  and  sufferings  showed  himself  a 
firm  advocate  of  the  gospel  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  In 
short,  he  was,  as  preacher  and  teacher,  an  awakening  voice 
to  warn  sleeping  sinners,  a  comforter  and  guide  of  the 
weak  and  sorrowing,  a  father  to  all  around  him.  He 
closed  his  course  when  on  a  journey  from  Baltimore  to 
his  home,  on  Sunday  forenoon  between  eleven  and  twelve 
o'clock,  after  he  had  sung,  along  with  those  standing  about 
him,  the  following  lines : 

Come,  thou  long  expected  moment, 

Come,  thou  Spirit  from  on  high  ; 
'T  is  thy  call,  my  Lord  and  Master  ; 

How  shall  I  express  my  joy, 
When  thy  grace  and  power  of  love 

Bids  me  rise  to  climes  above.  ^ 

He  breathed  his  last  and  his  triumphant  spirit  as  con- 
queror ascended  to  the  victor's  crown.     Amen.^ 

The  yearly  conference  assembled  at  Hagerstown,  Wash- 
ington County,  Maryland,  May  24,  1814.  The  session 
was  opened  with  the  reading  of  the  sixteenth  chapter  of 
Mark,  a  short  address  to  the  assembled  brethren,  and 
singing  and  prayer. 

The  following  preachers  were  present:  (1)  Christian 
Newcomer,  (2)  Christian  Krum,  (3)  John  Neidig,  (4) 
Abraham  Mayer,  (5)  Jacob  Dehof,  (6)  John  Snyder,  (7) 
John  Baer,  (8)  Henry  Spayth,  (9)  Jacob  Baulus,  (10) 
David  Snyder,  (11)  Joseph  Hoffman,  (12)  Isaac  Niswan- 

'  Translation  of  Professor  Degmeier  followed  in  the  above  lines.— Editor. 
'Tbe  secrelJary  of  the  Conference  of  1813  was  Christian  Smith.  -  Editor. 


THE     EASTERN    CONFERENCE  33 

der,  (13)  George  Geeting,  (14)  Christopher  Grosh,  (15) 
Christian  Smith,  (16)  Thomas  Winter,  (17)  Valentine 
Baulus,  (18)  Christian  Berger,  (19)  Frederick  SchafFer, 
(20)  Hermann  Ow,  (21)  Michael  Thomas. 

I.  May  25  session  opened  with  the  reading  of  the  elev- 
enth chapter  of  Matthew  and  singing  and  prayer.  Then 
several  letters  were  read — one  from  the  English  conference 
held  in  Baltimore  [Methodist  Episcopal]  and  one  from 
Brother  Troxel  and  Brother  Berger. 

%  The  preachers  were  examined  as  to  how  it  is  be- 
tween them  and  God  and  as  to  how  they  succeed  in  their 
work. 

3.  A  letter  from  Otterbein's  congregation  was  received, 
in  which  they  express  a  wish  to  connect  themselves  with 
the  United  Brethren,  and  that  we  always  supply  them 
with  a  preacher. 

4.  Resolved  that  John  Rathfang  shall  have  a  certificate 
of  permission  to  preach. 

5.  Resolved  that  H.  Joseph  Fry  shall  have  a  certificate 
of  permission  to  preach. 

6.  Resolved  that  the  first  Thursday  in  August  shall 
be  a  day  of  prayer  throughout  the  whole  society. 

7.  The  26th  the  session  opened  with  reading  the  third 
chapter  of  Colossians  and  prayer. 

8.  Some  preachers  were  then  examined. 

9.  Resolved  that  George  Kolb  and  John  Geisinger 
shall  have  a  certificate  of  permission  to  preach. 

10.  Resolved  that  Hermann  Ow  shall  have  the  right 
to  baptize,  solemnize  marriage,  and  assist  in  administering 
the  Lord's  supper. 

II.  Resolved  that  Henry  Kumler  shall  have  a  certifi- 
cate of  permission  to  preach. 

12.  Resolved  that  Jacob  Wenger  shall  have  a  certificate 
of  permission  to  preach  or  exhort. 


34         PROTOCOL   OF   THE    UNITED    BRETHREN   IN   CHRIST 

13.  Resolved  that  Christian  Hershey  be  elected  pre- 
siding elder  for  two  years  over  the  district  in  his  part 
of  the  country. 

14.  Resolved  that  a  committee  be  appointed  to  con- 
sider the  offer  of  the  congregation  in  Baltimore,  in  regard 
to  our  supplying  them  with  a  preacher,  and  to  come  to  a 
definite  conclusion  and  report  to  the  conference.  The 
following  were  chosen  thereon :  D.  Snyder,  A.  Mayer, 
J.  Neidig,  J.  Baulus,  and  the  bishop. 

15.  Resolved  that  Christian  Newcomer  again  be  elected 
bishop  for  three  years. 

16.  Resolved  that  the  next  yearly  conference  be  held 
the  second  Tuesday  of  May,  at  Henry  Kumler's. 

17.  Resolved  that  John  Snyder  and  Henry  Spaji;h 
shall  have  a  certificate  of  permission  to  baptize,  solemnize 
marriage,  and  to  assist  in  administering  the  Lord's  supper. 

18.  Resolved  that  Joseph  Hoffman  shall  preach  one 
year  in  Baltimore,  and  if  he  and  the  congregation  are 
satisfied  he  can  remain  longer,  but  not  longer  than  three 
years. 

19.  Resolved  that  John  Snyder  shall  preach  on  Hagers- 
town  Circuit  one  year. 

20.  Resolved  that  Henry  Spayth  shall  serv^e  Rocking- 
ham Circuit  one  year. 

21.  An  answer  was  given  to  the  Baltimore  congrega- 
tion in  regard  to  their  request.  Then  adjourned  with 
singing  and  hearty  prayer.  Lord  Jesus,  do  thou  be  with 
thy  servants.  Make  them  like  thy  image.  Give  them 
godly  zeal,  untiring  faithfulness.  Let  thy  virtues  flow 
out  of  them  and  thy  divine  light  shine  through  them, 
that  through  that  shining  many  may  be  enlightened,  and 
to  Ciod  we  will  give  the  glory. 

Christian  Newcomer. 
Jacob  Baulus,  Secretary. 


THE    EASTERN    CONFERENCE  35 

William  Otterbein^  was  born  June  4,  1726,  in  Europe  ; 
studied  theology,  and  was  ordained  as  an  evangelical 
preacher  in  the  Reformed  Church.  Soon  after  his  accept- 
ance as  a  preacher  he  was  afflicted  with  a  weakness  of 
the  breast,  attended  with  hemorrhage.  Physicians  and 
friends  counseled  a  sea  voyage  for  his  health.  He  then 
resolved  to  go  to  North  America,  being  then  about 
twenty-eight  years  of  age.  He  was  first  a  Reformed 
preacher  of  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  then  at  Frederick- 
town,  Maryland,  then  at  Little  York,  Pennsylvania.  From 
there  he  was  called  to  Baltimore,  and  came  as  preacher 
in  this  congregation  May  4,  1774.  Here,  as  in  the  other 
congregations,  his  labors  were,  through  the  grace  of  God, 
blessed  with  much  fruit.  His  trust  in  God  and  his  love 
for  undying  souls  were  boundless.  He  died,  at  last,  in 
the  peace  of  the  Lord,  November  17,  1813.  His  age  was 
eighty-seven  years,  five  months,  and  thirteen  days. 

Bai/timobe,  May  21,  1814. 

The  President  and  Members  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Conference 

Assembled. 

Beloved  Brethren  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  :  It  is  already 
known  to  you  that  our  father,  William  Otterbein,  the  faithful  shep- 
herd who  so  many  years  has  served  this  congregation,  has  exchanged 
this  earthly  life  for  the  heavenly.  Immediately  after  his  death,  the 
vestry  of  this  congregation  assembled  to  consider  the  condition  in 
which  we  were  placed  by  the  death  of  our  beloved  father.  After 
mature  consideration,  the  accompanying  resolutions,  some  weeks 
thereafter,  were  drawn  up  by  the  vestry,  and  by  them  unanimously 
adopted.  These  resolutions  were,  on  the  first  Monday  of  this  year, 
by  the  vote  of  the  elders  and  trustees,  laid  before  the  congregation 
for  their  acceptance  or  rejection,  and  by  them  almost  unanimously 
adopted.  We  have  therefore,  dear  brethren,  appointed  John  Hildt 
and  Benjamin  Macher  to  make  you  acquainted,  in  the  name  of  the 
congregation,  with  the  accompanying  resolutions  and  to  obtain  your 

'  Following  the  minutes  of  1814,  it  is  proper  to  give  first  a  short  account  of 
Otterbein,  as  occupying  a  page  in  the  record,  probably  written  by  Newcomer, 
Spayth,  or  Hlldt;  then  the  correspondence  relating  to  the  supplying  of  his 
pulpit,  also  found  in  the  record  in  German.  — Editor. 


36         PROTOCOL   OF   THE    UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST 

brotherly  approval  and  adoption,  in  the  hope  that  the  one  aim 
of  the  members  of  the  conference  is  to  build  up  the  kingdom 
of  Jesus  Christ  and  to  save  souls  from  perdition.  We  await  a 
favorable  result  from  you  and  our  messengers.  They  are  author- 
ized and  instructed  to  bring  about,  if  possible,  this  so  much  de- 
sired result.    We  remain  "your  beloved  and  loving  brethren  in  the 

Lord, 

WiLLJAM  Baker,         John  Hildt, 

Balzer  Schaffer,      Benjamin  Macher, 

Jacob  Smith,  Leonhart  Puter, 

Adam  Welsh,  Peter  Fo^VBLE, 

Elders.  Trustees. 

This  day,  January  3,  1814,  the  congregation  assembled  in  the 
church,  where  the  following  from  the  vestry  was  laid  before  them 
for  their  approval  or  disapproval : 

After  the  death  of  the  deceased,  William  Otterbein,  the  elders  and 
trustees  of  the  Evangelical  Reformed  Church  assembled  to  counsel 
with  one  another  in  what  way  the  congregation  in  the  future  may 
best  be  preserved,  the  members  of  the  same  built  up,  the  honor  of 
God  furthered  through  it.  The  greatest  difficulty  which  they  found 
was  in  the  selection  of  a  suitable  preacher ;  one  who,  with  the  help 
and  assistance  of  God,  would  carry  forward  the  work  begun  by  God 
through  our  deceased  preacher,  his  faithful  servant,  W^illiam  Otter- 
bein, and  declare  the  will  of  God  pure  and  plain  and  without  fear 
according  to  the  Bible  ;  in  short,  a  preacher  who  does  not  preach  for 
pay  or  money,  but  has  on  his  heart  more  than  all  else  the  welfare  and 
salvation  of  his  hearers.  Long  before  the  death  of  our  deceased 
father  this  was  his  greatest  concern,  but  it  pleased  Divine  Providence 
to  take  away  this  burden  of  his  heart  yet  before  his  death,  and  to 
make  evident  that  with  him  is  counsel  and  help  when  one  least  looks 
for  it.  Through  a  special  providence,  Frederick  SchafFer  happened 
to  come  hither.  He  preached  in  our  church,  was  by  the  deceased 
William  Otterbein  solemnly  ordained  to  preach,  and  consented  to 
serve  this  congregation  since  that  time.  We  have  reason  to  believe 
that  the  majority  of  the  members  are  well  satisfied  with  him,  and 
that,  with  the  help  of  the  Lord,  he  labored  among  us  profitably.  The 
vestry  would  have  no  hesitancy  in  recommending  said  Frederick 
Schafier  as  the  preacher  of  the  congregation,  and  expecting  all  else 
from  the  help  and  assistance  of  Jesus  Christ,  if  they  were  not 
convinced  that  insurmountable  difficulties  stand  in  the  way.  In 
order,  therefore,  to  avoid  all  difficulties  and  to  presei've  this  congre- 
gation, the  vestry  have  drawn  up  the  following  resolutions,  which 
they  herewith  lay  before  the  congregation  for  their  approval  or  re- 
jection : 

I^rst.  That  this  congregation  connect  itself  with  the  United 
Brethren,  so  that  from  time  to  time  we  may  by  them  be  supplied 
with  preachers. 

Second.  That  this  congregation  will  provide  for  the  support  and 
annual  salary  of  the  preacher. 


THE    EASTERN    CONFERENCE  37 

Third.  That  the  vestry  elect  two  members  of  the  congregation  to 
make  the  United  Brethren,  in  their  conference,  acquainted  with 
these  resolutions. 

After  mature  consideration,  these  resolutions  were  submitted  to 
the  members  of  the  church  present  for  acceptance  or  rejection.  80, 
as  the  votes  in  the  church-book  to  the  names  of  those  present  show, 
the  result  was,  thirty-five  votes  were  cast  for  approval  and  only  one 
for  rejection.    So  the  above  resolutions  were  approved. 

A  true  copy.  John  Hildt. 

This,  the  9th  day  of  May,  1815,  the  following  preachers 
assembled  at  Henry  Kumler's,  in  Franklin  County,  Penn- 
sylvania, to  hold  conference  :  ( 1 )  Christian  Newcomer, 
(2)  John  Neidig,  (3)  Abraham  Mayer,  (4)  David  Snyder, 
(5)  John  Baer,  (6)  John  Kreider,  (7)  Isaac  Niswander,  (8) 
Jacob  Dehof,  (9)  John  Snyder,  (10)  Valentine  Baulus,  (11) 
Henry  Spayth,  (12)  George  Geeting,  (13)  Henry  Kumler, 
(14)  Michael  Baer,  (15)  Henry  Hiestand,  (16)  Jacob 
Baulus,  (17)  Henry  Joseph  Fry,  (18)  Jacob  Wenger,  (19) 
Christian  Berger,  (20)  Joseph  Hoffman,  (21)  Jacob  Winter, 
(22)  Jonas  Witmer.  May  the  Lord  make  us  faithful 
laborers  in  his  vineyard.     Amen. 

1.  Conference  opened  with  the  reading  of  the  second 
chapter  of  —  Timothy  ;  then  some  verses  were  sung,  and 
then  hearty  prayer.  This  was  repeated,  so  that  we  spent 
several  hours  thus,  which  God  specially  blessed. 

2.  Letters  were  read  from  various  brethren,  and  one 
from  the  Baltimore  congregation.  They  desire  that  Brother 
Hoffman  shall  further  serve  them. 

3.  Resolved  that  Valentine  Hiskey  and  Peter  Swartz 
shall  have  a  certificate  of  permission  to  preach. 

4.  Resolved  that  Daniel  Pfeifer  shall  have  a  certificate 
of  permission  to  exhort. 

5.  Resolved  that  Jacob  Flickinger  shall  have  a  certifi- 
cate of  permission  to  exhort. 

6.  Resolved  that  George  Brown  shall  have  a  certificate 
of  permission  to  exhort. 


May  10  the  session  was  opened  with  the  reading  of  the 
third  chapter  of  Philippians. 

7.  Resolved  that  Jacob  Dehof  shall  have  a  certificate  of 
permission  to  baptize,  assist  in  administering  the  Lord's 
supper,  and  solemnize  marriage. 

8.  Resolved  that  Samuel  Huber  shall  have  a  certificate 
of  permission  to  exhort. 

9.  Resolved  that  Jonas  Witmer  shall  have  a  certificate 
of  permission  to  preach. 

10.  Resolved  that  Samuel  Brandt  shall  have  a  certificate 
of  permission  to  exhort. 

11.  The  preachers  were  examined. 

12.  It  was  asked  who  can  give  themselves  up  as  travel- 
ing preachers.  (1)  John  Snyder,  (2)  Henry  Spayth,  (3) 
Henry  Kumler,  (4)  Isaac  Niswander,  (5)  Joseph  Hoffman, 
(6)  Jacob  Dehof. 

13.  Resolved  that  a  prayer-  and  fast-day  be  observed 
August  11,  1S15,  throughout  the  whole  society. 

14.  Resolved  that  in  1816  the  conference  be  held  the 
second  Tuesday  in  May,  at  David  Long's,  in  Fautz'  Valley, 
in  Pennsylvania. 

15.  Resolved  that  a  camp-meeting  shall  be  held  August 
17,  at  Rocky  Springs.     May  the  Lord  give  it  his  blessing. 

Then  the  session  closed  with  prayer.  May  the  Lord 
Jesus  let  his  abiding  blessing  rest  upon  us.  This  was  one 
of  the  most  blessed  sessions  that  we  have  ever  had.  May 
the  dear  Jesus  yet  ever  give  us  the  true  token  that  we  may 
be  able  to  love  one  another,  and  may  he  put  all  such  as  are 
not  sincere  far  from  us. 

Christian  Newcomer. 

Jacob  Baulus,  Secretary. 

This,  the  7th  of  May,  1816,  the  annual  conference 
assembled  at  the  house  of   David  Long   in    Cumberland 


THE    EASTERN    CONFERENCE  39 

County,  Pennsylvania.  The  following  preachers  were 
present:  (1)  Christian  Newcomer,  (2)  Abraham  Mayer, 
(3)  John  Snyder,  (4)  John  Neidig,  (5)  Christian  Smith, 
(6)  Joseph  Hoffman,  (7)  David  Snyder,  (8)  Henry  Kumler, 
(9)  Michael  Baer,  (10)  George  Geeting,  (11)  Jacob  Dehof, 
(12)  David  Long,  (13)  Abraham  H^rshey,  (14)  Hermann 
Ow,  (15)  George  Hoffman,  (16)  Peter  Swartz,  (17)  Jacob 
Baulus. 

The  session  opened  with  reading  the  first  chapter  of 
Titus  ;  then  followed  prayer  by  all.  This  God  specially 
blessed. 

In  the  afternoon  the  fifteenth  chapter  of  John  was  read. 

1.  The  preachers  were  examined  as  to  how  they  stand 
before  God  and  toward  their  fellow-men. 

May  8  the  session  opened  with  reading  the  fifty-eighth 
chapter  of  Isaiah,  and  prayer. 

2.  The  first  thing  taken  up  was  that  Henry  Kumler, 
George  Geeting,  George  Hoffman,  and  Peter  Swartz  were 
elected  to  elders'  orders  and  were  ordained  by  the  laying  on 
of  hands. 

3.  Resolved  that  Jacob  Flickinger  and  Samuel  Huber 
shall  have  license  to  preach. 

4.  Resolved  that  William  Brown  shall  have  license  to 
preach. 

5.  Resolved  that  a  camp-meeting  shall  be  held  August 
■  8,  at  Leonhart  Middlekoff 's,  four  miles  from  Hagerstown. 

In  the  afternoon  the  session  opened  with  reading  the 
fourth  chapter  of  Ephesians. 

6.  It  was  asked  by  the  bishop  who  give  themselves 
up  to  travel.  (1)  Joseph  Hoffman,  (2)  John  Snyder,  (3) 
Henry  Kumler,  (4)  Jacob  Dehof,  (5)  Michael  Baer. 

7.  Resolved  that  Abraham  Mayer,  Joseph  Hoffman, 
and  Jacob  Baulus  be  elected  presiding  elders  for  two 
vears. 


40  PROTOCOL    OF    THE    UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST 

8.  Resolved  that  the  annual  conference  shall  be  held 
May  15,  1817,  at  Geeting's  Meeting-house,  in  Washington 
County,  Maryland. 

May  9  the  session  opened  with  reading  the  tenth  chapter 
of  —  Corinthians,  and  prayer. 

9.  Resolved  that  August   2   shall  be  a  day  of  prayer. 
Then   the   session   was   closed   with   prayer.     It   was   a 

blessed    conference.     May   the   Lord   bestow   his   blessing 
upon  each  one.  Jacob  Baulus,  Secretary. 

This,  the  15th  of  May,  1817,  the  annual  conference  met 
at  the  Antietam,  in  the  so-called  schoolhouse,  Washington 
County,  Maryland.  The  following  preachers  were  present : 
(1)  Christian  Newcomer,  (2)  Abraham  Mayer,  (3)  John 
Neidig,  (4)  Christian  Hershey,  (5)  Jacob  Baulus,  (6)  Joseph 
Hoffman,  (7)  John  Snyder,  (8)  Valentine  Baulus,  (9) 
Henry  Spaytli,  (10)  John  Kreider,  (11)  Jacob  Dehof, 
(12)  Samuel  Huber,  (13)  Michael  Thomas,  (14)  George 
Geeting,  (15)  Isaac  Niswander,  (16)  Jacob  Winter,  (17) 
Conrad  Roth,  (18)  Jacob  Wenger,  (19)  John  Baer,  (20) 
Henry  Kumler,  (21)  Jacob  Flickinger,  (22)  Christian 
Berger,  (23)  John  Hildt,  (24)  George  Brown,  (25)  William 
Brown,  (26)  David  Fleck. 

The  session  opened  with  reading  the  twelfth  chapter  of 
Romans.     Then  all  joined  in  singing  and  prayer. 

1.  The  letters  coming  to  the  conference  were  read  ;  one 
from  the  congregation  in  Baltimore,  another  from  Brother 
Krura,  and  a  third  from  Brother  Andrew  Zeller. 

2.  Brothers  Jacob  Baulus  and  John  Hildt  were  elected 
as  the  secretaries  of  the  conference,  and  Abraham  Mayer 
as  chairman  in  connection  with  the  bishop. 

3.  Resolved  that  Brothers  John  Hildt,  Jacob  Brazer, 
William  Brown,  and  David  Fleck  shall  have  license  to 
]  (reach. 


THE    EASTERN    CONFERENCE  41 

4.  Resolved  that  Brothers  John  Suyder  and  Valentine 
Baulus  be  ordained  as  elders. 

Then  adjourned  with  prayer. 

May  16  the  session  was  opened  with  reading  the  fifth 
chapter  of  Matthew,  and  hearty  singing  and  prayer. 

The  preachers  were  examined  as  to  how  they  stood 
toward  God  and  their  fellow-men,  and  as  to  their  conduct 
in  general.  In  the  course  of  this  there  streamed  down, 
God  be  thanked,  many  gracious  tears  of  joy. 

In  the  afternoon  the  session  opened  with  reading  the 
third  chapter  of  Colossians  and  hearty  singing  and  prayer. 
The  examination  of  preachers  was  continued. 

Then  Brothers  John  Kreider  and  Valentine  Baulus 
were  ordained  as  elders.  God  poured  out  upon  us  a  great 
blessing. 

May  17  the  session  opened  with  reading  the  first  chapter 
of  Philippians,  and  hearty  singing  and  prayer. 

Resolved  that  a  camp-meeting  be  held  on  Brother  Mid- 
dlekofF's  land,  near  Hagerstown,  on  Thursday,  the  14th 
of  August. 

Resolved  that  the  next  annual  conference  be  held  at 
Brother  Hershey's,  in  Lancaster  County,  Pennsylvania,  the 
first  Tuesday  in  May,  1818. 

Resolved  that  an  account  of  all  money  received  by  the 
traveling  preachers,  and  how  it  is  paid  out,  shall  in  the 
future  be  kept  by  the  presiding  elders,  copied  into  the  pro- 
tocol, and  laid  before  the  annual  conference.  Also,  this 
account  shall  begin  with  the  year  1816. 

Brothers  John  Snyder  and  Henry  Kumler  are  chosen 
presiding  elders. 

Resolved  that  Friday,  the  1st  of  August,  shall  be  kept 
by  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  as  a  day  of  general 
humiliation  and  prayer. 

John  Hildt,  Secretary. 


42  PROTOCOL    OF    THE    UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST 

This,  the  5th  day  of  May,  1818,  the  United  Brethren 
in  Christ  assembled  in  conference  at  the  house  of  Brother 
Christian  Hershey,  in  Lancaster  County,  Pennsylvania. 
The  following  preachers  were  present :  (1)  Christian  New- 
comer, (2)  A.  Zeller,  (3)  C.  Grosh,  (4)  Joseph  Hoffman, 
(5)  Abraham  Mayer,  (6)  Henry  Kumler,  (7)  Valentine 
Baulus,  (8)  Wilham  Brown,  (9)  Jacob  Wenger,  (10) 
Samuel  Huber,  (11)  Michael  Baer,  (12)  H.  G.  Spayth, 
(13)  Jacob  Lehman,  (14)  Christian  Hershey,  (15)  Daniel 
Gingerich,  (16)  Joseph  Jordan,  (17)  John  Geisinger,  (18) 
Abraham  Hershey,  (19)  John  Snyder,  (20)  G.  Brown, 
(21)  C.  Roth,  (22)  D.  Fleck,  (23)  G.  Kolb,  (24)  Chris- 
tian Smith,  (25)  J.  Zentmeyer,  (26)  D.  Pfeifer. 

1.  At  the  opening  of  the  conference  the  fifteenth  chapter 
of  John  was  read,  then  hearty  prayer  for  the  blessing  of  God. 

2.  The  preachers  present  were  examined  in  respect  to 
their  spiritual  condition  and  their  oflBce. 

Closed  for  to-day  with  hearty  prayer. 
May  6,  the  fourth  chapter  of  First  Corinthians  was  read, 
and  prayer  for  the  continued  blessing  of  God. 

3.  Resolved  that  a  license  to  exhort  be  given  Brother 
Abraham  Horner,  of  Law  Creek  Valley. 

4.  Further,  that  license  to  exhort  be  given  to  Brother 
John  Russel  and  Brother  Conrad  Wiest. 

5.  Resolved  that  a  license  to  preach  be  given  to  Brother 
Daniel  Pfeifer,  of  Sherman's  Valley. 

6.  The  following  preachers  have  determined  to  travel 
this  year:  John  Snyder,  William  Brown,  David  Fleck, 
Jacob  Wenger,  for  one  half  year,  Michael  Baer,  for  one 
half  year,  Conrad  Roth,  Valentine  Baulus,  Henry  Kumler, 
for  one  half  year. 

7.  Resolved  that  the  next  annual  conference  be  held 
at  the  house  of  Brother  Valentine  Doup,  in  Frederick 
County,  Maryland,  the  first  Tuesday  in  May. 


THE    EASTERN    CONFERENCE  43 

8.  Resolved  that  a  camp-meeting  shall  be  held  at 
Brother  Middlekoff's,  near  Hagerstown,  commencing  Au- 
gust 20,  1818. 

9.  Resolved  that  August  14  and  the  next  New- Year's 
Day  be  observed  as  days  of  prayer. 

10.  Resolved  that  Conrad  Roth  have  permission  to 
preach  one  year  in  and  around  Hagerstown,  with  the  con- 
dition that  he,  after  harvest,  go  to  Virginia,  there  to  take 
charge  of  the  great  meetings,  provided  his  health  permits. 

11.  This,  the  7th  of  May,  1818.  At  the  last  a  letter 
from  Baltimore,  brought  by  J.  Snyder,  was  handed  over, 
relating  to  the  raising  of  a  fund  to  supplement  the  small 
salaries  of  the  poor  preachers  who  preach  in  the  frontier 
or  western  countries  under  the  direction  of  the  conference. 
As  already  a  beginning  had  been  made  at  a  conference  held 
the  11th  of  June,  1816,  in  the  State  of  Ohio,  we  have 
concluded  to  make  an  attempt,  the  Lord  willing,  through 
affording  an  opportunity  to  the  people  who  may  be  willing 
that  they  give  something  thereto  out  of  a  free  will. 

12.  And  now  is  the  present  conference  closed  in  peace 
and  with  hearty  prayer.  To  the  Lord  be  praise  therefor 
in  Christ.     Amen. 

Subscribed  by  the  writer, 

Christian  Newcomer.^ 

•Only  sections  11  and  12  are  in  Newcomer'8  handwriting.— Editor. 


AN  INTERCHANGE  OP  LETTERS  OF  CORRESPONDENCE  BETWEEN 
THE   GERMAN    UNITED    BRETHRSN    AND   THE   METH- 
ODIST   EPISCOPAL    CHURCH,    TRULY    RE- 
CORDED  AS    FOLLOWS  :  ^ 

To  the  Conference  of  the  United  Brethren. 

Very  dear  Brethren  :  We,  the  members  of  the  Bal- 
timore Conference,  being  deeply  sensible  of  the  great  utility 
of  union  among  Christian  ministers  and  members  (as  far 
as  circumstances  will  permit)  in  carrying  on  the  work  of 
God  and  promoting  the  interest  of  the  Redeemer's  king- 
dom, viewing  you  as  friends  and  brethren  engaged  in  the 
same  glorious  work  with  ourselves,  have,  after  mature 
deliberation,  thought  proper  to  offer  to  you  the  following 
terms,  in  order  to  establish  a  closer  and  more  permanent 
union  among  us. 

1.  We  think  it  advisable  for  your  own  good  and  pros- 
perity that  each  minister  or  preacher  who  is  acknowledged 
by  the  United  Brethren  should  receive  from  your  confer- 
ence a  regular  license,  which  may  introduce  them  to  our 
pulpits  and  privileges  and  prevent  impositions,  as  there  are 
many  who  profess  to  be  in  union  with  you  that  are  not 

» The  letters  following  are  given  as  they  occur  in  stitched  manuscript  placed 
within  the  conference  record.  All  are  recorded  in  the  English  language.  All 
except  the  last  were  published  in  Lawrence's  History,  the  most  of  them  also  in 
Spayth's,  strict  exactness,  however,  not  being  observed.  The  last  letter,  which 
had  become  separated  from  the  rest,  is  now  published  for  the  first  time.  The 
fragment  of  a  letter  signed  by  Beverly  Waugh  has  liliewise  not  before  been 
printed.  Some  pages  of  the  manuscript  record  of  the  letters  have  been  lost 
since  the  letters  were  incorporated  in  Lawrence's  History.  The  parts  lost  are 
supplied  from  Lawrence's  History  as  follows:  The  letter  signed  by  Christian 
Newcomer,  dated  May  25,  1811,  beginning  with  the  words  "number  yet  among 
■as";  the  letter  signed  by  Nicholas  Snethen,  dated  March  26,  1812;  the  letter 
signed  by  Christian  Newcomer,  dated  May  13, 1812. 

45 


46  CORRESPONDENCE   WITH    THE    METHODISTS 

acknowledged  by  you.  And  we  would  further  advise  that 
you  favor  each  of  our  presiding  elders  with  a  list  of  the 
names  of  those  ministers  so  acknowledged  and  licensed  by 
you  within  the  bounds  of  his  district,  that  there  may  be 
no  difficulties  in  admitting  them  to  our  privileges.  And 
we  would  further  observe  that  all  our  traveling  ministers 
and  preachers  have  their  names  printed  in  the  minutes 
of  our  annual  conferences,  and  our  local  ministers  and 
preachers  have  credentials  of  ordination,  or  a  written 
license,  and  we  hope  that  you  will  admit  none  to  your 
privileges  calling  themselves  Methodist  preachers  but  such 
as  have  their  names  on  the  minutes,  or  as  are  licensed  as 
above  mentioned. 

2.  As  we  have  long  experienced  the  utility  of  a  Chris- 
tian discipline  to  prevent  immorality  among  our  people, 
we  would  earnestly  recommend  to  you  to  establish  a  strict 
discipline  among  you,  which  might  be  a  "defence  of  your 
glory."  Our  Discipline  is  printed  in  your  language,  and 
we  would  recommend  it  to  your  consideration,  to  adopt  it, 
or  any  part  of  it  that  you  in  your  wisdom  may  think 
proper,  or  any  other  form  that  you  may  judge  best.  And 
that  under  a  discipline  so  established  you  make  use  of 
every  Christian  and  prudential  means  to  unite  your  members 
together  in  societies  among  yourselves.  By  these  means  we 
think  your  people  will  become  more  spiritual,  and  your 
labors  be  much  more  successful  under  the  blessing  of  God. 

3.  All  those  members  among  you  who  are  united  in 
such  societies,  or  may  liereafter  be  united,  may  be  admitted 
to  the  privileges  of  class-meetings,  sacraments,  and  love- 
feasts  in  our  church,  provided  they  have  a  certificate  of 
their  membership  signed  by  a  regularly  licensed  preacher 
of  your  church.  And  to  prevent  inconvenience,  we  wish 
you  to  furnish  each  of  our  preachers  with  a  list  of  the 
names  of  all  such  members  as  may  be  in  the  bounds  of 


CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    THE    METHODISTS  47 

their  respective  circuits,  that  they  may  know  who  are  your 
members. 

In  order  further  to  estabUsh  this  union,  which  we  so 
much  desire,  we  have  given  particular  instructions  to  our 
presiding  elders  and  preachers  who  have  the  charge  of 
districts  and  circuits  where  the  United  Brethren  live,  to 
admit  your  preachers  and  members,  as  above  specified,  to 
our  privileges,  and  also  to  leave  a  list  of  the  names  of  your 
preachers  and  members  in  the  bounds  of  their  respective 
districts  or  circuits  for  their  successors,  that  they  may  have 
no  difficulties  in  knowing  whom  you  acknowledge  as  preach- 
ers or  members. 

Thus,  dear  brethren,  you  may  see  that  we  sincerely  wish 
to  accommodate  you  as  far  as  we  can  consistent  with  the 
discipline  which  binds  us  together  as  a  spiritual  people. 
We  think  that  we  have  proposed  to  you  such  terms  of 
accommodation  as  will  meet  your  wishes,  and  if  carried 
into  operation  among  you,  we  hope  and  believe  a  door  wdll 
be  opened  for  general  usefulness  among  and  with  each 
other.  We  are  persuaded  that  the  great  Head  of  the 
church  will  smile  on  us  and  own  our  labors  of  love,  and 
we  shall  be  blessed  in  seeing  our  children  converted  to  God 
and  become  useful  members  of  that  church  which  they 
may  choose. 

And  now,  dear  brethren,  we  commend  you  and  your 
charge  to  God,  praying  that  the  Lord  may  be  with  you, 
and  bless  you  in  your  conference,  and  bless  your  honest 
labors  to  promote  his  glory  and  the  interest  of  Christ's 
kingdom  in  the  world. 

We  are,  dear  brethren,  your  sincere  friends  and  brethren 
in  Christ. 

Signed  by  order  and  in  behalf  of  the  conference. 

Francis  Asbury. 
William  McKendree. 


48  CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    THE    METHODISTS 

Brethren  in  Christ  Jesus  :  At  our  conference  held  in 
Lancaster  County,  the  10th,  11th,  and  12th  of  May,  1809,  after 
having  taken  into  serious  consideration  all  those  points  con- 
cerning a  close  union  between  the  German  United  Brethren 
and  the  English  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  as  they  have 
been  proposed  by  an  epistle  from  the  late  Baltimore  Confer- 
ence, directed  unto  us,  as  well  as  verbally  by  two  of  their 
ministers,  namely,  James  Hunter  and  James  Smith,  it  did 
appear  the  fundamental  Christian  doctrines  as  held  by  the 
two  societies  to  be  the  same  ;  and  all  the  differences  between 
the  two,  namely,  to  consist  in  some  external  church  regu- 
lations. 

Truly  it  is  to  be  lamented  that  not  only  in  these  our  days, 
but  throughout  the  past  centuries,  by  the  setting  up  and  ob- 
truding of  opinions,  immense  harm  hath  been  done,  yet  our 
conference  doth  not  mean  by  their  animadversion  to  hint 
as  any  umbrage  was  given  to  [it,  but]  mentions  it  as  a  mat- 
ter of  reflection.  As  to  the  first  point  pro})Osed  concerning  a 
written  license  to  be  given  to  our  preachers,  we  had  already 
come  to  a  conclusion  about  the  same,  but  yet  till  now  there 
were  some  of  us  which  had  not  received  a  formally  written 
license,  but  shall  be  supplied  with  it  now,  and  such  as 
might  refuse  it  we  wish  you  to  take  the  Christian  liberty 
not  to  look  upon  them  as  preachers  ordained  of  us  ;  as  we 
likewise  shall  not  receive  any  English  preacher  as  ordained 
of  you  except  he  hath  a  certificate  of  your  conference. 
And  this  did  appear  unto  us  as  necessary  to  prevent  dis- 
orders as  far  as  possible.  As  to  what  belongs  to  the  second 
point,  concerning  a  token  to  be  given  by  their  respective 
preachers,  as  well  to  the  English  as  to  the  Germans,  to  such 
members  as  might  desire  to  partake  of  the  Lord's  supper 
at  the  big  and  quarterly  meetings,  for  the  reasons  men- 
tioned above  we  think  it  proper  and  perfectly  agreeing  with 
that  order  which  becometh  Christians. 


CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    THE    METHODISTS  49 

Concerning  the  third  point,  with  respect  to  such  as  by  an 
unchristian  walk  forfeit  their  privilege,  we  desire  to  act 
in  uniformity  with  you  that  such  shall  remain  deprived  of 
Christian  fellowship  and  communion  as  long  as  they  remain 
impenitent  and  neglect  to  amend  their  ways.  Thus  if  we 
continue  not  to  do  unto  others  what  we  would  not  wish 
done  unto  us,  under  the  influence  of  grace  divine  we  are 
confident  that  all  jars  shall  soon  be  done  away  and  our 
meeting-houses  will  open  by  themselves.  Any  further 
points  to  be  considered  will  be  deferred  to  our  next  confer- 
ence. The  God  of  peace  and  love,  may  he  deign  to  unite 
us  still  closer  in  the  bonds  of  love  and  union  in  this  present 
time  and  throughout  the  eternal  ages. 

Be  assured  of  our  sincere  love,  as  we  are  also  confident 
to  have  a  place  in  yours. 

Signed  by  Martin  Boehm. 

George  Adam  Geeting. 
Christian  Newcomer. 

To  the  German  United  Brethren. 

Dear  Brethren  :  We  hereby  acknowledge  the  receipt 
of  the  letter  of  the  conference  of  the  United  Brethren 
bearing  date  of  the  10th  of  May,  1809,  and  are  pleased  to 
observe  that  you  are  fully  sensible  of  the  propriety  of 
mutual  letters  of  recommendation,  both  for  preachers  and 
members  of  the  two  societies  who  may  wish  to  participate 
in  each  other's  privileges. 

We  most  earnestly  encourage  you  to  persevere  in  so  use- 
ful a  determination  and  give  it  the  fullest  effect,  as  not  only 
the  two  societies,  but  the  church  of  Christ  and  the  cause 
of  God  in  general  are  interested  in  the  detection  of  imposi- 
tion among  us. 

Your  determination  to  postpone  the  consideration  of  the 
subject  of  discipline  until  vour  next  conference  makes  it 

4 


50  CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    THE    METHODISTS 

improper  for  us  to  resume  that  subject,  presuming  that 
you  had  sufficient  reasons  for  so  doing.  We  should  have 
been  highly  gratified  if  it  had  been  consistent  with  your 
circumstances  to  have  given  a  final  decision  on  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  union  which  we  proposed,  and  which  we 
conceive  is  devoutly  to  be  desired  by  the  two  societies. 
We  are  thankful  to  find  that  the  spirit  of  Christian  and 
brotherly  love  still  prevails  among  you  towards  us,  and 
do  assure  you  that  we  reciprocate  the  affection,  and  hope 
never  to  do  to  you  otherwise  than  we  would  have  you 
do  to  us,  and  shall  continue  to  receive  with  an  attention 
suitable  to  their  importance  any  communications  which 
you  may  deem  proper  to  forward  to  us. 

Wishing  you  great  peace  in  your  own  souls,  and  great 
harmony  in  your  conference,  and  great  success  in  your 
ministerial  labors,  we  remain  your  brethren  and  fellow- 
laborers  in  the  kingdom  and  patience  of  Christ. 

Signed  in  behalf  of  the  conference, 

Joseph  Toy,  Secretary} 

ADDRESS    TO    THE    "UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.'"^ 

Dearly  beloved  Brethren  :  Having  received  your 
letter,  etc.,  etc.,  we  finally  agree  with  you  to  give  the  right 
hand  of  fellowship,  to  preach  the  gospel  of  a  crucified 
Redeemer,  and  work  together  in  spiritual  peace  and  har- 
mony to  bring  lost  sinners  home  to  God  through  repentance 
and  holiness.  And  we  further  agree  with  you  that  our 
preaching  houses  of  public  worship  shall  be  open  to  all 
your  preachers  who  have  license  from  you.  Likewise,  it 
is  our  earnest  wish  that  you  should  open  all  your  public 
preaching  houses  to  all  our  preachers  that  have  written 
license  from  us.  We  also  inform  you  that  we  have  regu- 
lations upon  record  to  walk  by,  to  direct  our  preachers  to 

'The  reply  of  the  United  Brotlircn  has  not  been  preserved.— Editok. 
»A  letter  written  in  1810.— Editor. 


CORRESPONDENCE   WITH    THE    METHODISTS  51 

keep  class-meetings,  or  to  form  classes  at  any  place  they 
think  proper,  etc.  And,  lastly,  we  give  unto  you  the  right 
hand  of  fellowship,  and  assure  you  that  we  shall  always, 
as  much  as  in  our  power  lies,  do  unto  you  as  we  wish 
you  to  do  unto  us. 

We  also  crave  an  interest  in  yoiir  prayers,  and  assure 
you  that  it  is  our  full  desire  to  live  in  as  close  a  connec- 
tion with  you  as  the  nature  of  the  case  will  admit,  to  bear 
with  each  other  in  love,  and,  holding  the  same  principles 
and  preaching  the  same  doctrines,  we  will  not  suffer  smaller 
things,  and  only  the  shadows  of  religion,  to  separate  us 
from  each  other.  Nicholas  Snethen. 

To  Christian  Newcomer. 

AN    address   from    THE    BALTIMORE   ANNUAL   CONFERENCE 
TO   THE    "UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST." 

Dearly  beloved  Brethren  :  We  have  received  your 
affectionate  letter  with  hearty  thankfulness  that  the  Father 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  God  of  all  peace  and  consola- 
tion, has  inclined  our  hearts  to  unite  in  the  "bonds  of  the 
gospel,  to  walk  in  love,  as  Christ  also  hath  loved  us  and 
given  himself  for  us.  We  consider  now,  if  we  have  not 
misunderstood  you,  that  we  are  fully  agreed  in  respect  of 
the  necessity  of  union  and  a  mutual  endeavor  to  accom- 
plish it.  We  have  therefore  directed  and  instructed  all  our 
presiding  elders  and  preachers  whose  business  it  may  be, 
to  consult  with  the  United  Brethren  in  their  several  dis- 
tricts and  circuits  about  the  most  expedient  form  of  carry- 
ing the  proposed  union  into  effect.  To  our  own  forms  of 
license  and  certifications,  etc.,  we  presume  you  can  have  no 
objection,  as  they  have  been  of  long  use  among  us.  If 
you  have  already  a  fixed  form,  we  shall  cheerfully  accept 
it,  and  would  only  advise  that  if  you  have  one  yet  to  fix 
upon,  you  may  bear  in  mind  whether  it  will  not  be  proper 


52  CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    THE    METHODISTS 

to  be  somewhat  uniform  in  tiie  formation  of  the  licenses  for 
your  preachers  and  the  certificates  for  your  members ;  but 
should  you  see  proper  to  vary  in  different  places,  our 
brethren  are  instructed  to  make  no  objections  on  that  head, 
but  merely  to  seek  for  information  and  conform  to  your 
usage  accordingly.  You  will  please,  then,  dear  brethren, 
to  accept  from  us  the  right  hand  of  fellowship  and  our 
assurances  that  all  our  preaching  houses  shall  be  open  to 
your  licensed  preachers,  as  far  as  our  power  and  advice 
may  extend  (for  some  of  our  houses  may  be  under  the 
control  of  trustees),  and  that  our  sacraments,  love- 
feasts,  and  class-meetings  shall  be  open  to  your  members 
who  apply  with  such  form  of  certification  as  you  may  judge 
proper,  according  to  our  proposals  sent  to  you  from  the 
Harrisonburg  Conference. 

As  soon  as  our  presiding  elders  and  preachers  return  to 
their  respective  districts  and  circuits,  we  shall  consider  this 
union  as  having  commenced  on  our  part.  But  we  propose 
to  keep  open  an  intercourse  between  the  two  conferences,  to 
improve  and  perfect  the  plan  as  far  as  experience  may  fur- 
nish matter  of  improvement. 

We  hope  to  hear  from  you  at  our  next  annual  conference, 
and  we  invite  you  to  exercise  the  fullest  confidence  in  us  in 
your  correspondence.  Having  given  you  this  invitation  we 
take  the  same  liberty.  We  hope  you  will  not  indulge  for  a 
moment  a  suspicion  that  we  wish  to  interfere  in  your  confer- 
ence and  church  concerns.  There  will  constantly,  no  doubt, 
be  many  in  both  churches  not  disposed  to  become  privileged 
members  ;  none  of  our  regulations  can  have  any  effect  upon 
such.  But  knowing,  as  we  both  do,  the  imperfections  of 
human  nature,  we  cannot  help  foreseeing  that  offenses  will 
come  between  ministers  and  members  of  the  two  churches 
who  claim  privileges.  Now  we  think  that  some  plan  ought 
to  be  agreed  upon  for  the  settlement  of  all  such  difficulties. 


CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    THE    METHODISTS  53 

As  nothing  can  now  be  done  decisively,  we  beg  leave  to 
propose  to  you  the  following  plan  for  your  consideration  : 

First.  If  any  preacher  or  member  of  either  church 
claiming  to  be  a  privileged  preacher  or  member  in  the 
other  shall  be  accused  of  anything  contrary  to  Christian 
prudence  or  Christian  conduct  by  the  church  in  which  he 
may  be  a  privileged  preacher  or  member,  the  accusation 
shall  be  made  to  the  conference  or  church  in  which  he  is  in 
regular  membership,  who  shall  try  and  judge  accordingly. 
But  in  cases  of  this  kind,  if  the  difficulty  be  not  settled 
according  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  conference  or  church 
making  the  complaint,  or  bringing  the  accusation,  his  breth- 
ren shall  advise  and  request  him  to  desist  from  the  use  of 
the  privileges,  and  to  confine  himself  to  his  own  proper 
conference  or  church. 

Secondly.  No  preacher  or  member  who  shall  have  been 
excluded  by  one  conference  or  church  shall  be  received  by 
the  other. 

Thirdly.  As  often  as  may  be  convenient  a  messenger 
shall  be  sent  with  any  letter  which  shall  be  addressed  from 
one  conference  to  the  other,  with  instructions  to  explain  any 
difficulties. 

We  invited  our  beloved  Brother  Newcomer  to  a  seat  in 
our  conference  as  your  messenger,  and  he  is  doubly  dear 
to  us  as  the  messenger  of  such  joyful  tidings  of  brotherly 
love  from  you.  ''How  beautiful  upon  the  mountains  are 
the  feet"  of  all  the  messengers  of  mercy  and  love  and 
peace  and  good  will. 

We  have  the  happiness  to  inform  you  that  we  have 
enjoyed  great  harmony  and  love  in  our  conference,  and 
by  what  we  can  learn  of  the  state  of  religion  at  present,  we 
have  many  tokens  of  good  and  abundance  of  evidence  that 
God  is  waiting  to  be  gracious. 

Wishing  you  peace  and  prosperity  in  the  kingdom  and 


54  CORRESPONDENCE   WITH   THE    METHODISTS 

patience  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  we  remain  your  afifec- 
tionate  brethren  in  the  bonds  of  Christian  fellowship. 

Joseph  Toy,  Secretary. 

March  27,  181L 


AN   ADDRESS   FROM   THE   UNITED   BRETHREN   IN   CHRIST  TO 
THE   METHODIST   EPISCOPAL   CONFERENCE. 

Dearly  beloved  Brethren  in  Christ  :  We  have  re- 
ceived your  affectionate  letter  bearing  date  of  March  27, 
1811,  by  our  brothers  Borg  and  Swertzwelder,  with  much 
joy  and  thankfulness,  seeing  therein  that  the  God  of  love 
has  united  your  hearts  in  love  and  harmony  with  us,  to 
unite  more  and  more  together  in  the  bonds  of  the  gospel. 
We  are  certain,  brethren,  if  we  walk  in  the  light  as  chil- 
dren of  the  light,  we  shall  ere  long  be  of  one  heart  and 
one  mind.  Seeing  likewise  the  blessed  fruits  of  our  union 
together  in  a  measure  already,  and  the  glorious  prospect 
before  us,  we  do  not  hesitate  a  moment  longer  to  give 
you  the  right  hand  of  Christian  fellowship  again.  We 
have  now  formed  our  members  in  classes,  as  much  as 
possible.  However,  there  are  a  number  yet  among  us 
who  have  not  yet  joined  with  us  in  this  privilege,  so  long 
delayed  by  us.  We  earnestly  hope  that  you  will  instruct 
your  traveling  preachers  to  bear  with  such  as  much  as 
the  order  of  your  church  will  admit.  We  would  further 
inform  you  that  we  have  drawn  up  some  regulations,  or 
discipline,  among  us,  and  shall  endeavor,  more  and  more, 
to  put  them  into  effect  among  ourselves  and  our  members. 

Any  preacher  or  private  member  expelled  from  your 
church  will  not  be  received  by  us  to  the  fellowship  of 
saints  in  Christ,  and  we  do  hope  that  you  will  do  the 
same  in  relation  to  those  expelled  by  us,  at  least  until 
sufficient  reason  be  found  of  their  repentance  and  good 
fruits. 


CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    THE    METHODISTS  55 

We  likewise  hope  that  our  mutual  friendship  and  love  to 
each  other  will  be  increased  yet  more  and  more,  and  that 
the  intercourse,  by  letter  and  messengers  from  and  to  each 
conference,  may  be  kept  up  yearly,  through  which  medium 
difficulties  may  be  readily  adjusted,  and  more  especially  as 
such  messengers  or  communications  will  be  joyfully  re- 
ceived by  us  and  appreciated  in  the  best  possible  way. 

And,  lastly,  may  the  God  of  all  peace  and  consolation, 
who  has  united  our  hearts  together  in  the  gospel,  spread 
his  militant  church,  by  us,  from  pole  to  pole,  and,  finally, 
when  time  is  no  more,  make  us,  one  and  all,  members  of 
his  church  triumphant,  to  praise  God  and  the  Lamb  for- 
ever. Remember  us  before  the  throne  of  God,  is  the  earnest 
prayer  of  your  affectionate  brethren.  Wishing  you  peace 
and  prosperity  in  the  kingdom  and  patience  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  we  remain  your  affectionate  brethren  in  the 
bonds  of  Christian  fellowship. 

Signed  by  order  and  in  behalf  of  the  conference. 

Christian  Newcomer. 

May  25,  18U. 

AN    ADDRESS    FROM   THE    METHODIST   EPISCOPAL    CONFERENCE, 

ASSEMBLED    AT     LEESBURG,    TO    THE    UNITED 

BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST. 

To  the  Conference  of  the   United  Brethren. 

Grace  and  peace  be  multiplied  unto  you  through  our 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  Behold  how  good  and 
pleasant  a  thing  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell  in  unity. 
May  the  holy  leaven  leaven  the  whole  lump.  We  do 
most  cordially  and  sincerely  join  with  you  in  praying 
that  He  who  has  united  our  hearts  in  the  gospel  may 
make  us  instrumental  in  assisting  to  spread  his  militant 
church  from  pole  to  pole,  and,  finally,  when  time  is  no 
more,  make  us,  one  and  all,  members  of  the  church  tri- 
umphant, to  praise  God  and  the  Lamb  for  ever  and  ever. 


5G  CORRESPONDEN'CE    WITH    THE    METHODISTS 

We  have  the  happiness  to  inform  you  that  we  do  not 
recollect  when  we  had  so  gracious  a  sitting  together.  "  Our 
peace  surpasseth  all  understanding,  and  our  joy  is  un- 
speakable and  full  of  glory."  We  taste  unspeakable  bliss. 
"  The  power  of  the  Highest  overshadowed  us,  and  the  glory 
of  God  is  in  the  midst  of  us."     Hallelujah  ! 

We  have  instructed  our  preachers  to  deal  very  tenderly 
with  those  members  of  your  church  who  have  not  fully 
come  into  our  measures  of  union,  as  far  as  the  rules  and 
orders  of  our  church  will  admit,  hoping  and  trusting  that 
you  will  still  do  all  in  your  power  to  promote  and  extend 
the  spirit  and  practice  of  discipline  among  them,  it  being 
evident  that  our  mutual  success  depends  upon  our  union, 
wherever  our  lines  of  labor  come  together. 

We  agree  with  you  in  the  advantage  of  correspondence 
and  an  interchange  of  messengers.  Brother  Newcomer 
was  received  by  us,  and  we  have  appointed  our  brothers 
Alfred  Griffith  and  John  Swertzwelder  as  messengers  to 
your  next  conference,  with  whom  you  may  consult  on  any 
subject  relative  to  the  desired  object  of  a  final  and  perfect 
harmony. 

We  remain,  dear  brethren,  your  affectionate  fellow-labor- 
ers in  the  bonds  of  peace. 

Nicholas  Snethen. 

March  26,  181'2. 

THE    PHILADELPHIA    CONFERENCE    TO    THE    CONFERENCE    OF 

THE     GERMAN     UNITED     BRETHREN,     TO     MEET    AT 

ANTIETAM,  WASHINGTON  COUNTY,  STATE 

OF    MARYLAND. 

The  Philadelphia  Conference  to  the  United  German  Brethren, 

Greeting. 

Dearly  beloved  Brethren  :  We  have  been  made 
acquainted  witli  the  friendly  correspondence  that  has  taken 


CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    THE    METHODISTS  57 

place  between  you  and  the  Baltimore  Conference,  tending 
to  a  happy  union,  and  being  informed  by  your  messenger, 
Christian  Newcomer,  that  it  is  your  wish  to  enter  into  a 
like  friendly  correspondence  with  us,  we  therefore  hasten 
to  inform  you  that  we  are  willing  most  cordially  to  embrace 
you  as  brethren  in  the  kingdom  and  patience  of  Jesus 
Christ,  and  are  ready  to  enter  into  the  strictest  union  with 
you  that  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  the  two  societies 
will  admit  of,  and  have  accordingly  appointed  two  of  our 
members,  William  Fox  and  William  Foulks,  to  meet  you 
at  your  next  conference,  to  aid  in  the  accomplishment  of 
this  desired  object. 

It  was,  dear  brethren,  the  prayer  of  Christ,  your  Lord 
and  ours,  that  his  people  might  be  one,  and  that,  for  the 
best  of  all  purposes,  that  is,  that  they  might  be  perfected  in 
one.  We  are,  dear  brethren,  yours  in  the  bonds  of  a  pure 
and  peaceful  gospel. 

Signed  by  order  and  in  behalf  of  the  Philadelphia  Con- 
ference at  the  annual  meeting,  in  Philadelphia,  2oth  April, 
1812.  William  S.  Fisher,  Secretary. 

AN   ADDRESS   TO    THE   CONFERENCE   OF   THE   METHODIST 

EPISCOPAL   CHURCH,   ASSEMBLED   IN    BALTIMORE, 

FROM   THE   UNITED   BRETHREN   CHURCH. 

Dearly  beloved  Brethren  :  The  members  of  the 
conference  of  the  United  Brethren  assembled  at  George 
Adam  Geeting's,  with  the  greatest  satisfaction  mention 
the  receipt  of  your  address  from  Leesburg.  Our  souls 
have  been  truly  refreshed,  particularly  when  we  received 
the  news  of  love,  uniting  our  kindred  souls.  We  will 
adopt  the  language  of  the  royal  psalmist  with  you  :  "'Tis 
good  and  pleasant  for  brethren  to  dwell  together  in  unity." 
We  do  cordially  and  sincerely  pray  that  Jehovah  may 
make  us  individually  instrumental  in  spreading  his  blessed 


58  CORRESPONDENCE   WITH    THE    METHODISTS 

cause,  and  extending  his  militant  church  from  the  rivers  to 
the  ends  of  the  earth.  We  rejoice  with  you  that  the  power 
of  the  Lord  was  in  your  midst ;  our  hearts  also  burned 
with  love,  while  consulting  on  the  welfare  of  Zion. 

We  are  truly  thankful  for  the  delicacy  and  tenderness 
intimated  in  your  letter,  as  touching  those  members  of  our 
church  that  may  not  as  yet  be  divested  of  certain  peculiar- 
ities. But  we  humbly  hope  that  the  mists  will  ere  long, 
through  the  effulgence  of  gospel  day,  be  dispersed  from 
every  mind.  We  have  in  many  places  succeeded  in  form- 
ing class-meetings  and  extending  discipline,  and,  as  far  as 
prudence  shall  dictate,  we  will  pursue. 

An  interchange  of  messengers  and  correspondence  will 
still  be  deemed  a  favor.  Brothers  A.  Griffith  and  J.  Swertz- 
welder  were  thankfully  received  by  us,  with  whom  we 
had  the  happiness  to  consult  on  the  much  desired  subject 
of  permanent  peace  and  harmony. 

Brothers  G.  A.  Geeting  and  C.  Newcomer  were  in- 
structed as  messengers  to  you.  Finally,  brethren,  may 
the  God  of  love  and  peace  unite  our  hearts  and  efforts 
in  the  indissoluble  bonds  of  Jesus'  love,  is  the  prayer  of 
your  fellow-laborers  in  the  blessed  gospel  of  peace. 

Signed  in  behalf  and  by  consent  of  the  conference. 

Christian  Newcomer. 

Washington  County,  Maryland,  May  13,  1812. 

AN  ADDRESS  FROM  THE  CONFERENCE  OF  THE  GERMAN 
UNITED  BRETHREN. 

To  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Philadelphia  Conference, 

Greeting. 

Dearly  beloved  Brethren  :  We  received  your  friendly 
address  with  much  pleasure.  We  exult  to  hear  you  are 
ready  to  enter  into  terms  of  union  with  us,  as  our  bretliren 
of  the  Baltimore  Conference  have  done,  and  pray  that  it 


CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    THE    METHODISTS  59 

may  terminate  in  as  happy  an  union,  and  have  no  doubt 
but  it  will,  if  you  pursue  the  same  charitable  and  friendly 
steps  towards  us  as  they  have  taken.  We  wish,  dear  breth- 
ren, ever  to  do  unto  you  as  we  would  be  done  by.  May  the 
Lord  unite  our  hearts  in  love  and  help  us  to  pull  together 
in  the  yoke  of  Christ,  that  we  may  be  as  true  yoke-fellows 
indeed,  and  may  the  kingdom  of  God  our  Saviour  be 
mightily  established  in  the  earth  by  our  united  efforts. 
Brethren,  pray  for  us.  We  have  appointed  our  brethren 
Christian  Smith  and  David  Snyder  as  messengers  to  your 
next  conference,  with  whom  you  may  consult  on  any  sub- 
ject leading  towards  our  contemplated  union. 

We  remain,  dear  brethren,  yours  in  the  bonds  of  the 
peaceful  gospel. 

Signed  by  order.  George  A.  Geeting. 

May  15,  1812. 

[fragment    from    the    BALTIMORE   CONFERENCE.] 

but  hath  furnished  us  with  complete  means  for  this  great 
work,  to  wit,  oracles  of  God,  an  inexhaustible  fountain 
of  truth,  and  the  unction  of  the  Holy  Spirit  of  grace  to 
enable  us  to  perform  every  good  word  and  work.  Pure 
doctrinal  truth  and  gospel  discipline  dispel  darkness  from 
the  mind,  and  correct  the  errors  of  the  heart  and  life,  and, 
through  the  efficacy  of  the  Spirit,  perfect  us  in  the  love 
of  God.  We  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  affectionate 
address  by  our  respected  brethren,  C.  Newcomer  and  C. 
Krum,  and  rejoice  to  hear  of  your  success  in  forming 
classes  and  extending  discipline  ;  the  closer  the  union  of 
Christians  can  be  drawn,  the  more  readily  they  yield  to 
gospel  discipline,  and  we  still  recommend  a  prudent  per- 
severance in  this  good  work,  knowing  from  long  and  happy 
experience  that  your  labor  will  not  be  in  vain  in  the  Lord. 
We  shall  rejoice  to  embrace  every  opportunity  of  con- 


60  CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    THE    METHODISTS 

suiting  together  openly  and  freely  ou  the  most  proper 
means  to  promote  peace  and  perfect  harmony.  In  order 
thereto  we  have  appointed  our  much  respected  brethren 
Robert  Birch  and  James  McCann  as  bearers  of  this  address 
to  your  respectable  body,  whom  we  recommend  to  you  as 
persons  able  and  ready  to  give  any  information  on  the 
subject  of  peace  and  union  that  you  may  require. 

Finally,  brethren,  we  recommend  you  to  God  and  the 
word  of  his  grace,  praying  that  his  peace  and  love  may 
unite  all  our  souls  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  that  we  may  all  see 
the  pleasure  of  the  Lord  prospering  in  our  hands,  till  they 
that  sow  and  they  that  reap  shall  meet  and  rejoice  together 
in  the  kingdom  of  God  for  ever  and  ever. 

Signed  in  behalf  and  at  the  request  of  the  Baltimore 
Annual  Conference,  held  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  March 
30,  1813.  Beverly  Waugh,  Secretary. 

ADDRESS     FROM     THE     PHILADELPHIA     CONFERENCE     OF     THE 

METHODIST     EPISCOPAL    CHURCH    TO    THE    GERMAN 

CONFERENCE    OF    UNITED    BRETHREN. 

Dearly  beloved  Brethren  :  Your  friendly  address 
by  your  brother  and  ours  and  your  messenger,  Christian 
Smith,  we  received  with  pleasure.  We  rbeg  you  to  be 
assured  of  our  continued  regard  for  you,  and  cordial  desire 
of  Christian  union  and  communion,  as  far  as  may  be 
consistent  with  the  order  and  discipline  of  our  respective 
churches.  Our  doctrines  are  fixed  and  established  ;  our 
discipline  is  binding  upon  [us]  by  the  authority  of  our  Gen- 
eral Conference,  and  we  have  long  experienced  and  proved 
the  great  advantage  of  such  regulations ;  consequently 
to  these  in  our  church  communion  and  fellowship  we  feel 
ourselves  bound  by  the  most  sacred  obligations  to  have 
an  especial  regard.  And  might  we  not,  brethren,  recom- 
mend them  to  your  consideration,  that  you  may  "prove 


CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    THE    METHODISTS  61 

all  things,  and  hold  fast  that  which  is  good "  V  We  have 
appointed  our  brethren  WiUiam  Hunter  and  H.  Boehm  to 
present  to  you  this  address,  and  to  assure  you  that  your 
messengers  and  communications  will  always  be  welcome 
to  us.  We  are  pleased  to  find,  by  the  reports  from  different 
and  distant  places,  and  happy  to  be  able  to  inform  you, 
that  our  blessed  Redeemer  is  still  carrying  on  the  work 
of  spiritual  peace  and  reconciliation,  notwithstanding  the 
commotions  and  convulsions  in  the  world,  and  hope 
the  time  is  not  far  distant  in  which  the  human  race 
shall  be  united  as  the  common  workmanship  of  the  com- 
mon Creator's  hands  and  the  common  purchase  of  the 
common  Saviour's  blood.  We  pray  our  gracious  and  holy 
Lord  abundantly  to  bless  you  and  incline  your  hearts  to 
supplicate  for  us  before  his  throne.  May  you  be  divinely 
assisted  in  all  your  deliberations,  and  see  the  Lord's  pleas- 
ure abundantly  prospering  in  your  hands  to  the  glory  of 
[our]  God  and  your  God,  through  Jesus  Christ,  your  Lord 
and  ours. 

Signed  in  behalf  of  the  conference. 

William  S.  Fisher,  Secretary. 

PHiLADEiiPHiA,  Ist  May,  1813. 

To  the  Baltimore  Annual  Conference,  to  he  Held  in  the  City  of 

Baltimore,  March,  I8I4.. 

Dearly  beloved  Brethren  :  At  this  important  period, 
while  our  national  tranquillity  is  disturbed  with  the  deso- 
lations of  war,  we  rejoice  to  find  that  there  is  yet  prevailing 
among  you  a  growing  disposition  to  spread  the  odors  of 
our  Redeemer's  name  among  the  people  of  the  United 
States  of  America. 

We  received  your  affectionate  address  by  the  hands  of 
your  messengers,  our  beloved  brethren,  R.  Birch  and  J. 
McCann,  and  cordially  unite  with  you  in  praying  that 


62  CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    THE    METHODISTS 

our  united  efforts  may  be  more  and  more  successful  in 
spreading  the  victorious  kingdom  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
And  brethren,  this  we  believe  we  will  not  fail  to  accom- 
plish if  we  endeavor  to  lay  aside  all  national  prejudices 
and  betake  ourselves  to  more  solemn  fasting,  humiliation, 
and  prayer,  and  in  spirit,  conversation,  and  public  labor 
more  ardently  endeavor  to  raise  up  a  people  for  the  Lord 
God  of  hosts,  in  the  midst  of  the  earth.  Mingled  as  our 
hearers  and  members  are  throughout  this  widely-extended 
country,  we  are  the  more  convinced  that  one  spiritual 
interest  should  exist  among  us,  and  lead  us  all  on  to  the 
exercise  of  more  powerful  exertions  to  fill  the  world  with 
the  knowledge  of  our  gracious  and  benevolent  God. 

We  firmly  believe  with  you,  brethren,  that  pure  doctrinal 
truth  and  gospel  discipline  dispel  darkness  from  the  inind^ 
and  correct  the  errors  of  the  heart  and  life,  and  through 
the  efficacy  of  the  Spirit  perfect  us  in  the  love  of  God. 
Endeavoring,  as  we  are,  to  become  united  in  establishing 
a  real  gospel  discipline  among  our  people,  we  have  it  in 
lovely  contemplation  soon  to  have  printed  and  circulated 
among  our  members  a  system  of  rules,  which,  though 
they  may  appear  in  some  respects  imperfect,  yet  may  serve 
for  the  commencement  of  a  form  of  government  for  our 
people,  which  may  in  process  of  time  be  improved  to  such 
a  state  of  perfection  as  may  be  to  the  benefit  and  happiness 
of  future  generations.  But  as  we  cannot  at  present  inform 
you  in  this  letter  concerning  the  general  form  of  the  Dis- 
cipline we  contemplate  publishing,  the  bearers  of  this  letter 
to  your  conference,  our  beloved  brethren  Christian  New- 
comer and  Valentine  Baulus,  will  be  fully  qualified,  and 
shall  have  power,  to  give  you  any  information  that  may  be 
necessary  concerning  the  progress  in  discipline  we  shall 
have  made  during  the  labors  of  the  present  year. 

Desiring  to  contirue  a  friendly  correspondence  with  you 


CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    THE    METHODISTS  63 

by  letter,  brethren,  we  wish  you  all  success  in  the  holy 
labors  of  the  gospel,  hoping  that  we  shall  have  an  inter- 
est in  your  prayers  and  good  wishes,  while  at  the  same 
time,  we  assure  you,  we  will  endeavor  not  to  fail  to  pray 
to  the  God  of  all  grace  for  you,  and  wish  you  all  possible 
success  in  the  good  work  of  the  Lofd. 

Signed  in  behalf  and  by  order  of  the  conference  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ  held  in  Lancaster  County,  May 
6,  1813.  Christian  Smith,  Secretary. 

To  the  United  Brethren  Assembled  in  Conference. 

Beloved  Brethren  :  By  this  we  acknowledge  the  re- 
ceipt of  your  letter,  by  the  hands  of  your  messengers,  our 
brethren,  C.  Newcomer  and  Baulus.  We  are  pleased  to 
find  that  our  common  interest  actuates  us  in  our  efforts  to 
establish  a  permanent  union,  and  that  so  far  the  good 
resulting  justifies  the  measure.  Furthermore,  we  rejoice 
that  you  are  progressing  in  the  work  of  organization  and 
discipline.  This  we  are  ever  willing  to  help  forward,  being 
convinced  that  all  real  union  and  friendship  must  be 
founded  in  truth  and  order.  To  this  end,  brethren,  we 
must  keep  in  view  the  items  specified  in  a  former  letter 
from  this  conference,  as  terms  of  union.  Being  thus  har- 
monious in  sentiment  and  interest,  we  think  it  unnecessary 
to  continue  the  ceremony  of  annual  letters,  etc.,  believing 
[it]  sufficient  to  leave  the  door  of  friendly  intercourse 
open,  that,  if  in  the  progress  of  time  and  experience  any- 
thing of  importance  should  occur,  there  may  be  a  free 
communication.  Thus  impressed  with  the  importance  of 
cultivating  brotherly  love,  we  join  with  you  in  praying 
that  the  Divine  Spirit  may  accompany  us  in  our  mutual 
endeavors  to  promote  the  general  cause  of  truth  and  virtue. 

Signed  in  behalf  of  the  conference. 

Beverly  Waugh,  Secretary. 

March  22,  1814. 


[minutes   of  the   first  and   second  general 

conferences.] 

This,  the  6th  of  June,  1815,  the  following  preachers 
assembled  for  the  General  Conference,  near  Mount  Pleas- 
ant, Westmoreland  County,  Pennsylvania  :  ^ 


1. 

Christian  Newcomer. 

8. 

Henry  Spayth. 

2. 

Abraham  Hiestand. 

9. 

John  Snyder. 

3. 

Andrew  Zeller. 

10. 

Abraham  Mayer, 

4. 

Daniel  Troyer. 

11. 

Henry  Kumler. 

5. 

George  Benedum. 

12. 

Abraham  Troxel. 

6. 

Christian  Krum. 

13. 

Christian  Berger. 

7. 

Isaac  Niswander. 

14. 

Jacob  Baulus. 

These  persons  were  elected  from  the  various  districts  to 
the  General  Conference. 

Brother  Abraham  Hiestand  was  chosen  to  assist  the 
bishop  in  the  conference. 

The  conference  was  opened  with  the  reading  of  the 
fifth  chapter  of  First  Peter,  then  singing,  and  then  prayer 
by  the  most  of  the  members.  ,.m; 

Then  proceeded  to  business.  !i 

There  was  misunderstanding  and  prejudice  on  thei  patt 
of  some,  but  this  was  removed  in  part. 

A  letter  from  Christopher  Grosh,  coming  from  their  so- 
called  conference,  was  read.  It  was  evident  therefrom  that 
they  had  not  considered  the  matter  of  which  they  wrote.   > 

Brother  Newcomer  was  accused  by  Bonnet  that  he  was 
untruthful.     The  matter  was  investigated  by  three  ptesid- 

"       »  The  General  Conference  minutes  of  1815  and  1817  as  here  given  are  recorded 
In  the  record  of  the  Eastern  Conference.— Editor. 

5  65  ,  .         . 


66  FIRST   AND   SECOND   GENERAL    CONFERENCES 

ing  elders,  and  it  was  found  that  there  was  only  a  misun- 
derstanding.    He  was  in  nothing  liable  to  accusation. 

The  Confession  of  Faith  and  the  Discipline  were  con- 
sidered, in  some  respects  enlarged,  some  things  omitted, 
on  the  whole  improved,  and  ordered  printed. 

Jacob  Baulus,  Secretary. 

Proceedings  of  the  Second  General  Conference,  held  at 
Mount  Pleasant,  Pennsylvania,  June  2,  1817. 

The  United  Brethren  in  Christ  assembled  in  a  general 
conference. 

The  following  preachers  were  present : 

1.  C.  Newcomer. 

2.  Andrew  Zeller. 

3.  Abraham  Mayer. 

4.  Joseph  Hoffman. 

5.  John  Snyder. 

6.  H.  Kumler. 

1.  The  conference  was  opened  with  the  reading  of  the 
fourth  chapter  of  Ephesians,  singing,  and  prayer. 

2.  Andrew  Zeller  was  chosen  associate  chairman,  and 
H.  Spayth  secretary. 

3.  Two  letters  were  read,  one  from  brethren  in  Wash- 
ington County,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  other  from  brethren 
in  New  Philadelphia,  Ohio.  Resolved  to  give  them  a 
brotherly  answer. 

Closed  for  this  day,  with  hearty  prayer,  till  to-morrow 
at  eight  o'clock. 

June  3,  opened  with  the  reading  of  the  second  chapter 
of  Ephesians,  singing,  and  prayer. 

4.  Resolved  to  give  to  Brother  Abraham  Forney  license. 
To  this  end  he  was  solemnly  ordained  to  the  ministerial 
office  by  Brothers  C.  Newcomer  and  A.  Zeller  with  the 
laying  on  of  hands.     Further, 


7. 

Jacob  Dehof. 

8. 

L.  Kramer. 

9. 

D.  Mechlin. 

10. 

H.  G.  Spayth, 

11. 

C.  Roth. 

12. 

H.  Ow. 

FIRST    AND    SECOND    GENERAL    CONFERENCES  67 

5.  Brother  C.  Newcomer  and  Brother  A.  Zeller  were, 
according  to  the  Disciphne,  chosen  bishops. 

Adjourned  at  noon  with  prayer. 

At  two  o'clock  the  thirteenth  chapter  of  Hebrews  was 
read,  then  singing  and  prayer,  and  again  closed  with 
prayer  till  next  day. 

June  4.  At  the  opening  the  ninth  chapter  of  Romans  was 
read,  then  singing  and  prayer. 

6.  Resolved  that  the  next  General  Conference  shall  be 
held  at  Dewalt  Mechlin's,  in  Pleasant  Township,  Fairfield 
County,  Ohio,  beginning  May  15,  1821. 

7.  Resolved  that  an  annual  conference  shall  be  held  in 
the  Muskingum  District,  beginning  June  1,  1818. 

8.  Resolved  that  three  hundred  Disciplines  be  printed 
in  the  German  language,  and  one  hundred  in  the  English 
language. 

The  conference  again  closed  with  preaching  and  hearty 
prayer. 


[minutes   of   the    MIAMI    CONFERENCE] 

PROTOCOL 


ONITED  BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST 


OF  THE  ANNUAL  CONFERENCES  HELD  IN 
THE  STATE  OF  OHIO 


Brought  Together  from  the  Daily  Proceedings  at  the 
Order  of  the  Conference 


JOHN   GEORGE   PFRIMMER 


1817' 


'  The  conference  gave  the  direction  indicated  above  in  1816,  as  shown  by  the 
minutes  of  that  year.  The  minutes  talien  before  that  time  had  been  preserved, 
but  not  recorded.  Some  points  of  merely  incidental  character  may  have  been 
omitted  by  Mr.  Pfrimmer,  though  it  i-s  to  be  borne  in  mind  that  many  things  of 
primary  significance  were  not  originally  included  in  the  minutes.— Editor. 


The  first  conference,  held  August  13,  in  the  year  of  the 
gracious  birth  of  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  1810,  at  Michael 
Kreider's,  in  Ross  County,  Ohio. 

The  following  preachers  were  present :  Christian  New- 
comer, Christian  Krum,  George  Benedum,  Abraham  Hie- 
stand,  John  Froshauer,  Michael  Kreider,  Daniel  Troyer, 
Thomas  Winter,  and  Andrew  Zeller,  as  full  ministers  [or 
elders] ;  Jacob  Zeller,  Ludwig  Kramer,  Henry  Evinger, 
and  Henry  Hiestand,  preachers ;  Frederick  Klinger  and 
John  Pontius,  exhorters. 

At  the  opening  of  the  conference  the  third  chapter  of 
the  First  Epistle  of  John  was  read,  and  then  singing,  and 
prayer  to  God  for  his  blessing  to  the  furthering  of  the 
kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ. 

2.  The  preachers  made  their  confession  of  their  expe- 
rience of  the  love  of  God  and  their  desire  for  the  furthering 
of  his  kingdom. 

3.  "We  have  agreed  in  outward  observances  to  bear 
with  one  another,  as  far  as  is  agreeable  with  the  Word  of 
God. 

4.  That  we  seek  our  salvation  alone  in  Jesus  our  onl}' 
Redeemer,  and  that  alone  through  his  meritorious  blood 
we  must  become  just  before  God. 

5.  When  any  one  transgresses,  he  shall  be  dealt  with 
according  to  Matthew  18  :  15-17. 

August  23,  1811,  a  conference  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ  was  held  in  Fairfield  County. 

At  the   opening  of   the  conference  the  fourth   chapter 


72  PROTOCOL    OF    THE    UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST 

of  Second  Timothys  was  read  ;    then  singing,  and  prayer 
for  the  furthering  of  the  kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ. 

The  following  preachers  were  present :  Christian  New- 
comer, president ;  George  Benedum,  Abraham  Hiestand, 
John  Froshauer,  Jacob  Zeller,  Frederick  Klinger,  Samuel 
Mau,  Ludwig  Kramer,  John  Pontius,  John  Bauser,  Dewalt 
Mechlin,  John  Eckert,  and  Jacob  Lehman. 

PROCEEDINGS. 

1.  A  hearty  exhortation  to  the  preachers  by  the 
president. 

2.  There  was  an  examination  of  all  the  preachers,  how 
it  was  with  them,  and  it  was  found,  according  to  their  con- 
fession, that  they  were  altogether  of  one  mind  to  be  ever- 
more faithful  in  the  work  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  his 
kingdom  ;  then  closed  with  hearty  prayer. 

The  24th,  at  eight  o'clock,  the  conference  was  opened 
with  the  reading  of  the  twelfth  chapter  of  Romans  by 
Brother  Benedum,  and  hearty  prayer. 

The  proceedings  as  follows : 

1.  The  examination  of  the  preachers  concerning  their 
conduct. 

2.  On  approval  of  the  conference,  resolved  that  Brothers 
Ludwig  Kramer  and  Jacob  Zeller  be  received  as  full 
ministers. 

3.  Resolved  that  Brothers  John  Pontius,  John  Bauser, 
Dewalt  Mechlin,  and  Jacob  Lehman  be  authorized  to  preach 
on  a  text,  and  Brother  Eckert  to  exhort. 

4.  Resolved  that  a  circuit  in  this  part  of  the  country 
be  formed,  for  the  furthering  of  the  kingdom  of  Jesus 
Christ.  Brother  Samuel  Mau  and  Brother  Jacob  Lehman 
gave  themselves  with  a  free  will  for  this  service,  and  were 
approved  by  the  conference. 

5.  In  the  afternoon  the  conference  resumed  its  session 


THE    MIAMI    CONFERENCE  i.O 

after  the  reading  of  the  third  chapter  of   First  John  by 
Brother  Hiestand  and  prayer  by  Brother  Jacob  Lehman, 

1.  Brother  George  Benedum  was  chosen  presiding  elder 
by  the  conference. 

2.  Resolved  that  spiritual  societies  or  classes  be  formed, 
and  private  meetings,  with  childlike  inquiries  as  to  the 
inner  condition  of  the  heart. 

3.  Resolved  that  the  next  annual  conference  shall  be 
held  near  New  Lancaster  the  last  Thursday  in  August, 
1813  [1812]. 

4.  The  conference  was  closed  with  a  childlike  exhorta- 
tion by  Brother  Newcomer  to  all  of  the  preachers  to  be 
faithful,  with  stricter  fidelity  and  uprightness,  to  the  Lord 
Jesus.     Closed  with  a  gracious  season  of  prayer. 

Subscribed  by  Christian  Newcomer. 

August  6,  1812,  a  conference  was  held  in  Montgomery 
County,  German  Township,  at  Brother  Andrew  Zeller's. 

The  following  preachers  were  present :  Christian  New- 
comer, Andrew  Zeller,  Daniel  Troyer,  Thomas  Winter, 
William  Ambrose,  Frederick  Klinger,  Henry  Evinger, 
William  P.  Smith,  Samuel  Mau,  full  ministers  ;  Christian 
Sherrer,  preacher  ;  John  McNamar,  Jacob  Kemp,  and  Peter 
Weil,  exhorters. 

The  conference  was  opened  with  reading  of  the  fourth 
chapter  of  Second  Corinthians  by  Brother  Newcomer,  and 
with  song  and  earnest  prayer  to  God. 

PROCEEDINGS. 

1.  Resolved  that  a  circuit  be  formed.  All  showed  will- 
ingness to  further  the  same. 

2.  Thomas  Winter,  Henry  Evinger,  and  Samuel  Mau 
gave  themselves  up  freely  to  travel  the  circuit. 

The  next  day,  August  7,  the  conference  assembled,  and 


74  PROTOCOL    OF    THE    UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST 

the  fifth  chapter  of  Second  Corinthians  was  read  by  Brother 
Mau,  and  tlien  singing  and  prayer. 

1.  The  preachers  were  examined,  and  they  confessed 
love  to  God  and  union  among  themselves. 

2.  Two  brethren  were  elected  by  ballot  as  delegates  to 
the  conference  of  the  Methodist  brethren  at  Chillicothe, 
namely,  Thomas  Winter  and  Daniel  Troyer. 

3.  Recommended  to  our  societies  to  observe  the  last 
Thursday  in  October  as  a  prayer-  and  fast-day,  and  to 
implore  the  prosperity  and  welfare  of  Zioii. 

4.  Resolved  that  the  next  annual  conference  shall  be 
held  the  last  Thursday  in  August  near  New  Lancaster. 

5.  Andrew  Zellerwas  elected  presiding  elder  for  two  years. 

6.  Resolved  that  the  form  of  baptism  be  left  to  those 
who  are  to  be  baptized. 

7.  Brothers  Jacob  Zeller,  Frederick  Klinger,  Henry 
Evinger,  and  Samuel  Mau  were  appointed  to  the  full  per- 
formance of  the  office  of  an  evangelical  preacher. 

8.  Christian  Sherrer,  William  Smith,  and  John  Evinger 
were  accepted  as  preachers. 

The  third  day,  August  8,  the  conference  was  opened  with 
the  reading  of  the  first  part  of  the  fourteenth  chapter  of 
t'irst  Corinthians  by  Brother  Winter,  and  singing  and  prayer. 

1.  Peter  Weil  was  advanced  to  the  standing  of  a  full 
minister. 

2.  A  communication  to  the  Methodist  brethren,  and  an- 
other to  the  brethren  in  Kentucky,  were  read  and  approved. 

3.  The  conference  was  closed  with  singing  and  prayer. 
The  above  signed  in  the  name  of  the  conference  by 

William  Smith, 

August  26,  1813,  a  conference  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ  was  held  at  Brother  Peter  Sites'  in  Pleasant  Town- 
ship, Fairfield  County,  Ohio. 


THE    MIAMI    CONFERENCE  75 

The  following  preachers  were  assembled :  Christiau 
Newcomer,  Andrew  Zeller,  George  Benedum,  Abraham 
Hiestand,  Daniel  Troyer,  Thomas  Winter,  Henry  Evinger, 
Ludwig  Kramer,  Jacob  Zeller,  Frederick  K  linger,  Dewalt 
Mechlin,  Henry  Hiestand,  John  Evinger,  Henry  Miller, 
William  Smith,  Jacob  Lehman,  John  Pontius,  and  John 
Bauser. 

Brother  Christian  Newcomer,  president. 

The  conference  was  begun  with  singing  and  prayer  that 
God  may  grant  his  holy  presence  for  guidance,  that  every- 
thing may  be  done  for  his  glory  and  honor  and  for  the 
welfare  of  the  Church.  The  third  chapter  of  First  Timothy 
was  then  read,  and  proceeded  to  business. 

William  Smith  was  chosen  secretary. 

A  letter  was  read  from  Brother  Jacob  Baulus,  in  which 
he  stated  why  he  cannot  be  present.  A  letter  was  read 
from  Brother  John  McNamar,  asking  permission  to  preach. 
Granted.  Also  a  letter  from  Matthias  Bortsfield  requesting 
full  authority  as  a  minister.     Granted. 

Then  the  report  of  the  traveling  preachers  was  taken  up. 
Thomas  Winter  and  Henry  Evinger,  of  Twin  Creek  Circuit, 
reported  that  they  had  in  the  last  year  formed  a  circuit 
consisting  of  forty-seven  preaching  places,  with  many  other 
requests  for  preaching.  They  received  salary  as  follows  : 
Thomas  Winter,  $132.06;  paid  out,  $5.81.  Brother 
Evinger  received  $53.51  ;  paid  out,  $5.18|.  This  circuit 
is  divided,  and  the  new  is  made  Beaver  Circuit.  Brother 
Lehman's  report  from  New  Lancaster  is,  received,  $2.81 
[$20.81  (?)]. 

A  letter  from  the  Albright  brethren  was  read,  asking  for 
a  union.     Deferred  for  consideration  till  to-morrow. 

The  next  thing  taken  into  consideration  w^as  the  mode  of 
ordination  and  of  receiving  preachers.  It  was  deplored 
that  too  little  order  was  observed,  both  in  the  reception  and 


76  PROTOCOL    OF    THE    UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST 

the  ordination  of  preachers.  The  conference  took  under 
consideration  whether  it  is  proper  to  ordain  preachers 
without  the  laying  on  of  hands  of  the  elders.  Conference 
adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  eight  o'clock. 

The  27th,  the  conference  assembled.  After  the  reading 
of  a  chapter  from  Titus,  singing,  and  prayer,  the  matter  of 
writing  a  letter  to  Father  Otterbein  was  taken  up,  asking 
him  to  ordain,  by  the  laying  on  of  hands,  one  or  more 
preachers,  who  afterward  may  perform  the  same  for  others, 
and  was  agreed  to. 

Resolved  that  the  next  conference  shall  be  held  August. 
24,  1814,  at  Andrew  Zeller's. 

William  Smith  and  Henry  Miller  were  authorized  to 
perform  all  the  services  of  ministers.  John  McNamar, 
Christian  Sherrer,  and  Henry  Hiestaud  were  authorized  to 
preach.     Brother  Smaltz  was  authorized  to  exhort. 

Afterwards  a  vote  was  taken  for  presiding  elders,  and 
Andrew  Zeller  and  Abraham  Hiestand  were  elected  for 
one  year. 

After  prayer  adjourned   till  to-morrow  at  seven  o'clock. 

The  28th.  After  the  reading  of  a  chapter,  and  singings 
and  prayer,  John  Eckert  was  fully  authorized  to  preachy 
and  Philip  Kramer  to  exhort. 

The  special  case  of  Henry  Hiestand  was  taken  under 
consideration,  inasmuch  as  various  unfavorable  reports  were 
in  circulation  respecting  his  life  as  a  j)reacher,  and  the  con- 
ference to  which  he  now  belongs  examined  the  matter  and 
found  that  much  was  false.  Other  things  Henry  confessed 
that  he  was  sorry  for,  and  the  conference  was  so  far  satisfied 
that  it  gave  him  permission  to  preach  for  one  year,  and 
after  consideration  the  conference  gave  to  him  the  right 
hand  as  a  sign  of  love. 

Brother  Newcomer  brought  a  present  of  $30.00,  given  by 
Matthias  Kessler,  of  Fredericktown,  which,  according  to  his 


THE    MIAMI    CONFERENCE  77 

wish,  was  divided  out  to  Brothers  Lehman,  Troyer,  and 
Winter.  Also  a  collection  was  taken  in  the  conference, 
which  was  divided  as  follows  :  $2.00  to  Brother  Zeller, 
$2.00  to  H.  Hiestand,  $10.00  to  Brother  Newcomer  for  trav- 
eling expenses,  and  $7.81|  each  to  Brothers  Winter,  Evinger, 
and  Lehman.  Brother  Newcomer,  out  of  the  donation, 
gave  to  Lehman  $20.00. 

Brother  Winter  received  $5.00  in  advance  ;  $126.25  from 
circuit;   $10.00    present ;    $7.81    dividend;    total,  $149.06. 

Brother  Evinger,  $48.33|  from  circuit ;  $7.81  dividend  ; 
total,  $56,141. 

Brother  Lehman,  $20.00  present ;  $10.00  present ;  $20.- 
81i  from  circuit ;  $7.81J  dividend  ;  total,  $58.62^. 

Resolved  that  two  preachers.  Brother  Winter  and  Brother 
D.  Troyer,  shall  preach  to-day  at  ten  o'clock. 

Then  it  was  ordered  that  the  next  conference  shall  be 
held  August  23,  1814. 

Then  the  conference  closed  with  prayer  and  thanksgiving. 

August  23,  1814,  at  Brother  Andrew  Zeller's,  in  Mont- 
gomery County,  Ohio,  the  time  and  place  appointed,  a 
conference  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  was  held. 

The  following  preachers  were  present :  Christian  New- 
comer, bishop  ;  Andrew  Zeller,  Abraham  Hiestand,  George 
Benedum,  Daniel  Troyer,  Henry  Evinger,  Henry  Hiestand, 
Jacob  Zeller,  John  Evinger,  Jacob  Lehman,  Philip  Kramer, 
John  McNamar,  Henry  Miller,  WiUiam  P.  Smith,  Jacob 
Kemp. 

After  the  reading  of  the  twelfth  chapter  of  Romans,  sing- 
ing, and  prayer,  the  following  proceedings  were  taken  up  : 

1.  Examination  of  the  preachers,  then  adjourned  with 
singing  and  prayer,  till  to-morrow  morning  at  seven  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  the  24th,  assembled  according  to  adjourn- 
ment. '  ' 


78  PROTOCOL    OF    THE    UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST 

Brother  George  Benedum  and  Brother  A.  Hiestaiid 
preached  very  suitably  to  the  occasion. 

Resolved  that  when  any  one  speaks  he  shall  stand  up  and 
address  the  president. 

Then  the  questions,  according  to  the  rules,  were  followed 
through. 

Jacob  Kemp  was  authorized  to  preach. 

Henry  Hiestand  was  authorized  to  preach  and  to  admin- 
ister the  ordinances ;  also  John  McNamar  and  Jacob 
Lehman. 

The  present  order  [or  discipline]  of  the  Church  was 
taken  under  consideration  and  protested  against.^ 

It  was  moved  and  adopted  that  there  shall  be  a  conven- 
tion, and  that  two  members  from  each  district  shall  assemble 
at  Abraham  Troxel's,  in  Westmoreland  County.  The 
districts  were  arranged  as  follows  :  First  district,  Baltimore  ; 
second,  Hagerstown  ;  third,  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  south  of 
the  Alleghany  Mountains ;  fourth,  Pennsylvania  north 
of  the  Alleghany  Mountains ;  fifth,  Muskingum  ;  sixth,. 
New  Lancaster,  Ohio  ;  seventh,  Miami  ;  eighth,  Kentucky 
and  Indiana;  ninth,  Virginia.  Tlie  delegates  shall  como 
together  November  22  ;  the  time,  however,  was  set  forward 
to  June,  next  year.  This  convention  shall  form  a  church- 
constitution  for  the  Brethren. 

Brother  Winter  declared  that  henceforth  he  would  no- 
longer  belong  to  the  Brotherhood,  and  was  dismissed. 

Brother  John  George  Pfrimmer  announced  himself  as  a 
member  of  this  conference  and  was  unanimously  recognized. 

Brother  Troyer  offered  to  travel  for  a  half  year. 

Brother  Lehman  offered  to  travel  for  a  fourth  of  a  year. 

The  next  conference  the  Tuesday  after  the  second  Sunday 
in  August  next  year. 

>The  reference  Is  to  the  discipline  adopted  earlier  in  the  year  by  the  old  con- 
ference.   This  is  the  second  appearance  of  the  term  "Church  "  in  the  minutes, . 
the  first  being  in  the  minutes  of  1813.— Editor. 


THE    MIAMI    CONFERENCE  79 

The  presiding  elders  were  next  elected.  Brother  Andrew 
Zeller  and  Daniel  Troyer  [were  nominated]  for  the  Miami 
District,  and  Brother  George  Benedum  and  Abraham 
Hiestand  for  New  Lancaster  District.  According  to  the 
votes  Andrew  Zeller  for  Miami  District  and  G.  Benedum 
for  New  Lancaster  District  were  elected  and  confirmed. 

The  itinerant  plan  was  anew  unanimously  agreed  to. 

The  collection  of  hymns  for  a  new  hymn  book  by  T. 
Winter  and  Henry  Evinger  is  postponed  till  the  next 
General  Conference. 

A  letter  from  the  Methodist  conference  was  read  relating 
to  a  closer  union,  and  an  answer  given  which  was  sent 
through  Brothers  Evinger  and  Smith.  Acknowledged  our 
desire  for  a  union    according  to  the  order  of  the   gospel. 

Brothers  A.  Hiestand  and  A.  Zeller  were  appointed  to 
settle  with  the  traveling  preachers. 

Jacob  Zeller  proposed  the  formation  of  a  new  circuit,  and 
the  conference  ordered  him  to  do  it. 

Brother  Evinger  promised  to  do  what  he  could  in  view 
of  his  weakness. 

Brothers  Andrew  Zeller,  Henry  Miller,  W.  P.  Smith,  and 
J.  McNamar  agreed  to  travel  Twin  Creek  Circuit. 

At  the  close  settlement  was  made  with  the  traveling 
preachers  according  to  their  service. 

The  conference  adjourned  till  next  year. 

Christian  Newcomer. 

June  27,  1815,  a  conference  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ  was  held  at  Brother  Jacob  Mechlin's,  in  Fairfield 
County,  Ohio.  At  the  opening  the  sixteenth  chapter  of 
Mark  was  read  ;  then  an  hour  was  spent  in  singing  and 
prayer,  with  blessing. 

The  following  preachers  were  present :  Christian  New- 
comer, bishop  ;  Abraham  Hiestand,  assistant ;  John  George 


80  PROTOCOL    OF    THE    UNITED    BKETHKEN    IN    CHRIST 

Pfrimmer  and  William  P.  Smith,  secretaries  ;  Andrew  Zel- 
ler,  George  Benedum,  Daniel  Troyer,  Christian  Krum, 
Jacob  Zeller,  Henry  Evinger,  Ludwig  Kramer,  Henry 
Hiestand,  Jacob  Lehman,  Dewalt  Mechlin,  Frederick 
Klinger,  Henry  Miller,  Henry  Joseph  Fry,  John  Smaltz, 
John  McNamar,  Philip  Kramer,  and  John  Eckert, — twenty- 
one  in  all. 

1.  The  preachers  were  questioned  how  it  stood  between 
them  and  God  and  the  brethren,  and  they  confessed  anew 
their  love  toward  God  and  the  brethren. 

2.  A  letter  from  Noah  Wheeler  was  read  asking  to  be 
accepted  in  the  Brotherhood  as  a  preacher,  and  the  request 
was  granted. 

3.  Jacob  Shoemaker,  through  good  testimonials,  received 
permission  to  exhort. 

4.  Brothers  Christian  Krum,  Daniel  Troyer,  and  J.  G. 
Pfrimmer  were  appointed  a  committee  to  examine  the  new 
hymn-book. 

Conference  adjourned  for  the  day,  to  meet  to-morrow  at 
nine  o'clock. 

The  28th,  the  conference  assembled  at  the  appointed  time. 
The  third  chapter  of  Second  Timothy  was  read,  then  sing- 
ing and  prayer. 

5.  The  question  was  considered  whether  it  would  not  be 
well  for  some  of  the  older  brethren  to  be  ordained  with  the 
laying  on  of  hands  by  the  bishop,  so  that  in  case  of  death 
this  biblical  ordination  might  remain  with  us  ;  and  a  com- 
mittee was  appointed  consisting  of  Brothers  Christian  New- 
comer, Christian  Krum,  Abraham  Hiestand,  George  Bene- 
dum, and  Andrew  Zeller.  The  committee  were  unanimous 
that  first  Christian  Krum  should  be  ordained,  and  that  theii 
he  should  assist  Brother  Newcomer,  the  bishop,  in  ordaining 
the  following  brethren  :  Abraham  Hiestand,  Henry  Miller, 
-Daniel  Troyer,  Andrew  Zeller,  George  Benedum,  Williaili 


THE    MIAMI    CONFERENCE  81 

P.  Smith,  and  John  George  Pfrimmer,  all  of  which,  with 
song  and  earnest  calling  on  God  in  prayer,  with  many  tears, 
was  sacredly  done.  Then  Brother  Abraham  Hiestand  gave 
an  affectionate  exhortation. 

6.  The  elders  of  New  Lancaster  Circuit  promised  to  care 
for  the  same.  * 

7.  The  elders  of  Miami  Circuit  promised  to  care  for  the 
same. 

8.  The  second  Friday  in  August  was  appointed  as  a 
prayer-  and  fast-day,  and  the  second  Tuesday  of  June,  1816, 
for  holding,  on  the  Miami,  the  next  conference. 

Adjourned  with  singing  and  prayer. 

Christian  Newcomer. 

June  10,  1816,  a  conference  was  held  at  Brother  Andrew 
Zeller's,  in  Montgomery  County,  Ohio.  At  the  opening  the 
first  chapter  of  Titus  was  read,  then  singing  and  prayer. 

The  following  preachers  were  present :  Christian  New- 
comer, bishop  ;  John  George  Pfrimmer,  assistant ;  Henry 
Evinger  and  Conrad  Roth,  secretaries ;  Andrew  Zeller, 
George  Benedum,  Abraham  Hiestand,  Henry  Miller,  Daniel 
Troyer,  John  Froshauer,  Henry  Hiestand,  Ludwig  Kramer, 
John  Smaltz,  Henry  Joseph  Fry,  Jacob  Kemp,  John 
McNamar,  John  Stevens,  John  Day,  Noah  Wheeler. 

1.  John  Kemp  was  received  as  an  exhorter ;  and  also 
Christian  Hiestand. 

2.  Noah  Wheeler  was  authorized  to  preach  on  a  text. 
The  conference  closed  for  to-day — till  to-morrow. 

The  11th.     The  conference  assembled.     The  Eighty-fifth 
Psalm  was  read,  then  singing  and  prayer. 
Philip  Sauer  was  received  as  a  preacher. 
Henry  Pausser  was  examined  and  received  as  a  preacher. 

3.  The  following  brethren  were  ordained  with  the  laying 
on  of  hands,  amidst  a  hearty  calling  on  God  for  his  blessing  : 


82  PROTOCOL    OF    THE    UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST 

John  Froshauer,   Henry   Hiestand,  Henry  Evinger,  John 
McNamar,  Conrad  Roth,  and  Ludwig  Kramer. 

4.     Brother  WilHam  P.  Smith  has  fallen  asleep  in  the  Lord, 

o.     The  following  brethren  were  elected  presiding  elders 

for  the  State  of  Ohio  :     Andrew  Zeller  and  Daniel  Trover 

for  Miami   District,  and  George  Benedum  and   Abraham 

Hiestand  for  New  Lancaster  District. 

6.  Resolved  that  the  next  conference  shall  be  held  the 
third  Tuesday  in  June,  1817,  at  New  Lancaster,  Fairfield 
County. 

7.  The  second  day  of  August  was  appointed  as  a  day  of 
prayer. 

8.  The  presiding  elders  on  New  Lancaster  Circuit 
promised  to  care  for  the  same. 

9.  12th.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  settle  with 
Henry  Evinger  in  regard  to  his  expenses  and  receipts,  as 
also  his  claim  for  work  in  connection  with  the  hymn-book,, 
and  the  following  was  their  report : 

Typesettiug $30  00 

Three  quires  of  paper 1  12J 

Expense  in  ordering  paper,  printing,  and  binding..  3  00 

Paid  for  paper -16  50 

Copyright 1  00 

For  eight  days'  traveling 8  00 

Interest 6  67^ 

Postage ^6i 

Paid  out $267  25J 

Received  from  Christian  Newcomer $300  00 

Received  from  Jacob  Baulus 100  00 

Total $^00  0(1 

Paid  to  the  conference $132  74J 

By  Abraham  Hiestand  ( above ) 267  25i 

•^  $400  00 

Attested,  Daniel  Troyer, 

Conrad  Roth, 
George  Benedum, 
Dewalt   Mechlin, 

Committee. 


THE    MIAMI    CONFERENCE  83 

The  conference  adjourned  till  to-morrow. 

1.  The  loth.  The  conference  assembled  as  per  adjourn- 
ment. 

2.  John  George  Pfrimmer  was  chosen  as  presiding  elder 
over  the  district  in  Indiana  and  Kentucky. 

3.  A  collection  of  $2.72  was  taken  and  given  to  Brother 
Pfrimmer  in  order  to  purchase  a  book  and  record  all  of  the 
proceedings  of  this  conference. 

4.  A  fund  was  begun  and  $44.00  collected  and  given 
over  to  John  Zeller  as  treasurer.^ 

With  singing,  prayer,  and  tokens  of  love,  the  conference 

adjourned  till  next  year. 

Henry  Evinger, 

Conrad  Roth, 

Secretaries. 
Christian  Newcomer,  Bishop. 

This,  the  17th  day  of  June,  1817,  the  conference  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ  assembled  at  Widow  Kramer's, 
on  Walnut  Creek,  in  Fairfield  County,  Ohio. 

The  following  preachers  were  assembled  :  (1)  Christian 
Newcomer  and  (2)  Andrew  Zeller,  bishops  ;  (3)  John  George 
Pfrimmer,  and  (4)  John  McNamar,  secretaries  ;  (5)  George 
Benedum,  (6)  Daniel  Troyer,  (7)  Joseph  Hoffman,  and  (8) 
Ludwig  Kramer,  elders;  (9)  Jacob  Lehman,  (10)  Henry 
Joseph  Fry,  (11)  Jacob  Zeller,  (12)  John  Smaltz,  (13)  John 
Bauser,  (14)  Dewalt  Mechlin,  (15)  Frederick  Klinger, 
(16)  Philip  Kramer,  and  (17)  Noah  Wheeler,  preachers; 
Jacob  Shoemaker,  exhorter. 

At  the  opening  of  the  conference  the  twelfth  chapter  of 
Romans  was  read,  then  singing  and  prayer,  with  blessing. 

Frederick  Shauer  was  unanimously  received  as  a  member 
and  preacher. 

'This  was  a  fund  for  the  support  of  poorly  paid  preacliers.— Editok. 


84         PROTOCOL    OF   THE   UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST 

A  letter  was  read  from  John  Evinger,  In  the  afternoon 
the  brethren  assembled. 

A  request  came  through  J.  G.  Pfrimmer  for  a  license  to 
preach  for  George  Armstrong,  in  Harrison  County,  Indiana, 
which  was  granted  ;  also  a  like  request  for  Abraham 
Bansly,  in  Preble  County,  Ohio,  which  was  granted. 

A  complaint  was  made  by  J.  G.  Pfrimmer  against  J. 
Evinger,  in  Kentucky,  that  he  does  not  preach,  though  he 
has  a  license.  Thereupon,  resolved  that  a  letter  shall  be 
written  to  him  earnestly  admonishing  him  that  unless  he  is 
more  industrious  the  next  conference  will  dispossess  him 
of  his  office. 

Jacob  Kemp  shall  be  authorized  by  the  bishop  to  baptize. 

The  examination  of  the  preachers  began,  and  closed  in 
the  afternoon  ;  there  was  no  complaint,  but  general  love  to 
God  and  men  by  all,  more  than  ever  before.  May  God  be 
with  us. 

Brother  Hoffman  from  Baltimore  gave  an  account  of  his 
awakening,  call  to  the  ministerial  office,  and  his  desire  to 
build  up  the  kingdom  of  God,  where  possible,  in  all  the 
world  ;  all  which  made  a  deep  impression  on  all  of  the 
preachers,  as  a  precious  ointment  from  the  sanctuary  of 
God. 

A  motion  was  made  by  J.  G.  Pfrimmer  that  of  all  preaching 
places  where  traveling  preachers  preach  a  list  shall  be  made 
in  order  to  ascertain  what  can  be  collected  for  the  support 
of  needy  preachers. 

The  conference  was  closed  with  singing  and  prayer  till 
to-morrow  at  eight  o'clock. 

The  conference  came  together  the  IStli,  at  eight  o'clock. 
Brother  Hoffman  preached  on  the  last  six  verses  of  the 
fourth  chapter  of  First  Timothy  with  power  and  great 
blessing. 

Brother  Andrew  Zeller  was  ordained  a  bishop,  and  conse- 


THE   MIAMI    CONFERENCE  85 

crated  with  the  laying  on  of  hands  by  Bishop  Newcomer 
and  Elders  Hoffman,  Benedum,  and  Pfrimmer,  with  a 
blessed  experience  of  the  grace  of  God. 

The  conference  resolved  to  ordain  Brother  N.  Wilier  as  a 
deacon  so  that  he  can  baptize,  and,  with  an  elder,  admin- 
ister the  Lord's  supper,  and  also  obtain  a  license  from  the 
court  to  solemnize  marriage,  which  was  done  through 
Bishop  Newcomer. 

Brothers  Frederick  Shauer  and  H.  Joseph  Fry  were 
elected  elders,  and  by  Bishops  Newcomer  and  Zeller,  and 
Hoffman,  an  elder,  consecrated  with  blessing  and  love. 

The  conference  adjourned  till  two  o'clock  with  singing 
and  prayer. 

The  conference  began  with  the  reading  of  the  fourth 
chapter  of  Ephesians,  singing,  and  prayer. 

Frederick  Shauer,  Ludwig  Kramer,  and  Jacob  Adam 
Lehman  gave  themselves  as  traveling  preachers  for  Lan- 
caster District,  and  Noah  Wheeler  and  John  McNamar,  as 
much  as  he  can,  for  Miami  District. 

The  next  conference  shall  be  held  on  the  Miami  on  the 
third  Tuesday  in  June,  1818. 

A  committee  consisting  of  Ludwig  Kramer,  H.  J.  Fry, 
and  J.  Smaltz,  was  appointed  to  settle  with  Brother  Bene- 
dum in  regard  to  the  hymn-book  ;  and  after  settlement  the 
conference  stood  indebted  to  Benedum  the  sum  of  $269.58J 
for  books,  and  $12.00  for  trouble  and  expense, — $281.58 J 
in  all. 

In  the  settlement  with  the  traveling  preachers,  John 
McNamar  received  from  his  circuit  $06.30,  and  an  addition 
from  Christian  Newcomer  of  $8.00.  Noah  Wheeler  re- 
ceived from  his  circuit  $30.50,  and  an  addition  from  Brother 
Newcomer  of  $10.00. 

Resolved  that  from  now  on  the  annual  conference  shall 
not  adjourn  before  five  days. 


S6  I'ROTOCOL    OF    THE    UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST 

Resolved  that  a  general  day  of  prayer  shall  be  observed 
the  first  Friday  in  August,  1817. 

The  conference  adjourned,  with  singing  and  prayer,  in 
the  evening,  at  seven  o'clock,  in  hearty  brotherly  love. 
John  George  Pfrimmer,  Secretary. 

This,  the  16th  day  of  June,  1818,  a  conference  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ  was  held  at  Henry  Joseph  Fry's, 
in  Warren  County,  Ohio. 

The  following  preachers  were  present:  (1)  Christian 
Newcomer  and  (2)  Andrew  Zeller,  bishops;  (3)  George 
Benedum,  (4)  Daniel  Troyer,  and  (5)  John  George  Pfrim- 
mer, presiding  elders;  (6)  Henry  Joseph  Fry,  (7)  Henry 
Miller,  (8)  Henry  Evinger,  (9)  John  McNamar,  (10)  Lud- 
wig  Kramer,  (11)  Conrad  Roth,  elders  ;  (12)  Jacob  Adam 
Lehman,  (13)  John  Day,  (14)  Philip  Sauer,  (15)  Henry 
Bauser,  (16)  John  Evinger,  (17)  Noah  Mlieeler,  (18)  Jacob 
Kemp,  (19)  John  Jacob  Zeller,  preachers;  John  Kemp, 
exhorter. 

Bishop  Newcomer  opened  the  conference  and  read  the 
twelfth  chapter  of  Romans  ;  then  singing  and  prayer. 

1.  Two  secretaries  were  elected,  namely,  Henry  Evinger 
and  John  McNamar. 

2.  A  letter  was  read  from  George  Armstrong,  and  he 
was  granted  a  printed  license  to  continue  to  preach. 

3.  A  letter  was  read  from  Frederick  Shauer  asking  for  a 
traveling  preacher. 

4.  Abraham  Shingledecker  received  license  to  exhort. 

5.  Resolved  that  the  conference  continue  from  8  a.m. 
till  5  P.M. 

6.  Resolved  that  each  day  at  eleven  o'clock  there  shall 
be  preaching — Friday  for  the  preachers. 

The  conference  adjourned,  with  singing  and  prayer,  till 
eight  o'clock  to-morrow. 


THE    MIAMI    CONFERENCE  87 

The  17th,  the  conference  was  opened  by  Bishop  Zeller 
with  the  reading  of  the  fourth  chapter  of  Ephesians,  sing- 
ing, and  prayer. 

1.  John  McGary,  after  examination,  was  received  on 
probation  as  a  preacher. 

2.  John  Jacob  Zeller  arrived  at  the  conference. 

3.  The  examination  of  the  preachers  began,  and  at 
five  o'clock  in  the  evening  the  conference  adjourned. 

The  18th,  the  conference  was  opened  with  the  reading  of 
the  second  chapter  of  Hebrews,  singing,  and  prayer. 

The  examination  was  continued  and  concluded  in  peace, 
without  any  special  complaint  or  want  of  charity, 

2.  A  complaint  was  brought  against  John  Jacob  Zeller 
that  he  had  counseled  our  brethren  at  Hacken  to  join  the 
classes  of  the  Albright  people.  He  said,  however,  that  he 
had  only  given  them  permission. 

3.  Resolved  that  the  matter  be  investigated,  and  that  a 
written  report  be  laid  before  the  next  conference. 

4.  Resolved  that  we  shall  have  no  fellowship  with  the 
Albright  preachers  as  to  occupying  houses. 

5.  Jacob  Antrim,  after  examination,  was  received  as  an 
exhorter. 

6.  John  Kemp  was  received  as  a  preacher. 

7.  Jacob  Lehman  shall  be  ordained  an  elder. 

8.  Jacob  Kemp  and  Philip  Sauer  shall  be  ordained 
deacons. 

9.  Charges  were  brought  against  Henry  Hiestand. 
The  session  closed  with  singing  and  prayer. 

The  19th,  the  conference  was  opened  with  singing  and 
prayer. 

1.  John  Day  was  ordained  a  deacon. 

2.  Resolved  that  Henry  Hiestand  shall  be  excluded  as  a 
preacher  from  this  conference  until  an  examination  and  im- 
provement of  life,  on  account  of  unevangelical   conduct ; 


88  PROTOCOL    OF    THE    UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST 

and  that  brethren  shall  be  appointed  to  examine  the  matter, 
and  give  him  an  opportunity  to  make  his  defense. 

3.  John  Hetzler,  after  examination,  was  received  as  an 
exhorter. 

4.  George  Benedum  preached  in  German,  and  Conrad 
Roth  in  English. 

5.  Brother  Jacob  A.  Lehman  was  ordained  as  an  elder, 
and  Jacob  Kemp  and  Philip  Sauer  were  ordained  as 
deacons. 

6.  Resolved  that  from  now  on  all  preachers  who  cannot 
be  present  at  the  conference  shall  send  their  excuse  through 
a  letter  to  the  conference. 

7.  John  McNamar  promised  to  travel  after  harvest  till 
the  next  conference. 

8.  Brother  Newcomer  brought  to  the  conference  $25.60  ; 
Brother  Zeller,  $21.00. 

9.  Brother  McNamar  received  from  his  circuit  $56.00  ; 
Brother  Lehman,  $38.84  ;  Brother  Wheeler,  $30.00. 

10.  The  next  conference  shall  be  held  in  the  Lancaster 
District,  at  Frederick  Pontius's,  in  Ross  County,  Ohio,  the 
third  Tuesday  in  June,  1819. 

11.  Brother  Lehman  promised  to  travel  in  Lancaster 
District. 

The  conference  adjourned  with  singing  and  prayer,  and 
hearty  brotherly  love. 

John  George  Pfrimmer,  Secretary. 


[minutes   op   MUSKINGUM    CONFERENCE.] 

JOURNAL    OF    THE    CONFERENCES   OF   THE   UNITED   BRETHREN 

IN    CHRIST. 

The  first  day  of  June,  1818,  the  preachers  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ  assembled  in  a  conference  at  Joseph 
Naftzgar's,  in  Harrison  County,  in  the  State  of  Ohio,  and 
the  following  preachers  were  present :  ( 1 )  Christian  New- 
comer, (2)  Andrew  Zeller,  bishops;  (3)  George  Pfrimmer, 
(4)  Abraham  Forney,  elders;  (5)  Matthias  Bortsfield,  (6) 
Joseph  Gundy,  (7)  Christian  Knage,  (8)  Jacob  Winter,  (9) 
Jacob  Lehman,  (10)  John  Krum  [preachers]  ;  (11)  Jacob 
Antrim,  exhorter.^ 

At  the  opening  of  the  conference  the  fifteenth  chapter  of 
John  was  read  ;  then  followed  singing  and  prayer.  First, 
the  origin  of  the  Brotherhood  was  spoken  about,  the  cause 
of  the  conference,  and  how  the  name,  the  United  Brethren 
in  Christ,  originated  at  the  beginning.  Brother  Newcomer 
spoke  of  the  responsibility  of  the  preacher's  office,  his  duty, 
the  misery  of  men,  and  that  the  sinner,  if  he  would  be 
happy,  must  experience  the  forgiveness  of  his  sins,  and 
that  he  must  know  that  he  has  peace  with  God.  Then 
again  singing  and  prayer.  Brother  Newcomer  began  with 
the  confession  of  the  preachers.  Accusation  was  brought 
against  him  concerning  classing  in  Geeting's  congregation  ; 
and  after  an  investigation  it  was  only  a  misunderstanding 

•  Only  six  of  those  named  were  at  the  beginning  members  of  the  conference. 
John  Krum  was  admitted  in  the  course  of  the  session.  One  of  the  bishops  was 
a  member  of  the  Eastern  Conference,  and  the  other  of  the  Miami.  George 
Pfrimmer  was  a  member  of  Miami  Conference.  Jacob  Antrim  was  recognized 
as  an  exhorter,  though  he  was  later  regularly  received  as  an  exhorter  by  the 
Miami  Conference. 


90    CONFERENCE   JOURNAL   OF    UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST 

between  him  and  Michael  Kohr.  Further  there  was  no 
accusation  against  the  preachers,  and  brotherly  love  pre- 
vailed ;  and  resolved  in  love  under  the  blessing  of  the 
Lord  to  build  the  kingdom  of  Christ. 

The  conference  adjourned  for  an  hour,  with  singing  and 
prayer.  The  conference  again  began  with  the  reading  of 
the  twelfth  chapter  of  Romans  ;  then  singing  and  prayer. 
On  request  Jacob  Winter  and  John  Brown  were  ordained 
as  elders  with  the  laying  on  of  hands  by  the  two  bishops, 
Christian  Newcomer  and  Andrew  Zeller,  and  Elder  George 
Pfrimmer,  with  blessing. 

A  license  was  sent  to  Richard  Lewis,  Brother  John 
Krum  received  a  license  as  a  preacher.  The  next  confer- 
ence will  be  held  at  Matthias  Bortsfield's,  in  Tuscarawas 
County,  in  the  State  of  Ohio,  on  the  first  day  of  June,  1819. 
A  prayer-  and  fast-day  was  ordered  before  the  Lancaster 
Conference,^  the  fourteenth  day  of  August,  and  another  the 
first  of  January.  The  conference  adjourned  with  singing 
and  prayer,  in  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  and  brotherly 
love. 

John  George  Pfrimmer,  Secretary. 

God  bless  the  Brotherhood. 

•The  reference  is  probably  to  irregular  conferences  appointed  or  held  in  this 
territory  and  designed  to  extend  their  scope  as  far  west  as  Lancaster.  The  ter- 
ritory about  Lancaster  was  and  continued  to  be  within  the  bounds  of  Miami 
Conference.  The  regular  division  and  occupation  of  the  territory  did  away 
with  these  local  arrangements.  The  Muskingum  Conference  included  the 
western  part  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  ea.stern  part  of  Ohio.  The  Ohio  portion 
had  not  been  occupied  by  Miami  Conference.  To  the  extent  that  it  was  not 
reached  by  representatives  of  the  Eastern  Conference,  it  was  a  voluntary  field 
for  the  preachers  residing  in  the  territory.— Editor. 


Date  Due 

NOV  1     'IHI 

nw¥  J     r  W 

MAR  2  2 '61 

»t 

d 

PRINTED 

IN  U.  S,  A. 

